Annemieke van Fruten, winner of the elite women's road race at the UCI Road World Championships, did not say a word in celebration. Perhaps that was because she couldn't believe what was happening.

Van Vleuten came to Australia as one of the favorites to win the race, which has been in great shape this season, but she unexpectedly crashed in the mixed team time trial on Wednesday and broke her elbow.

Just starting the road race on Saturday was unusual enough. It was even more remarkable that she survived the selection until the last lap and somehow made it through the last few kilometers in the lead pack.

What she did next was something else entirely. With less than a kilometer to go, she took off. No one reacted. And without anyone reacting, Van Vleuten was once again the reigning world champion.

"I still can't believe it," Van Vleuten said. I still can't believe it," Van Vleuten said.

"I was just a domestique with a broken elbow, and now I'm a world champion."

The possibility of a second world title crystallized only in that final kilometer. Prior to that, she had focused on support duties for the Dutch team.

Unable to get out of the saddle due to arm pain, Van Vleuten fell when the race flared up on the final two climbs of the punchy Mount Pleasant. The race was back on track on the final lap, but Marianne Vos tried to pick up the pace as strong climbers disappeared on the climbs.

What happened next was unscripted.

"It was hell," Van Vleuten said of the pain in his arm. 'I couldn't get out of the saddle, so I had to ride everything sitting down. On the climbs, my legs felt like they were going to explode."

"I was working for Marianne, but all of a sudden I found myself in the group and I knew she wasn't coming back. I knew I couldn't elbow her and sprint, so I had to attack from the back. That was my only chance."

Van Vleuten became world champion for the second time with an equally impressive victory in Yorkshire in 2019; three years ago it was a solo run of 105 km; this time it was a solo run of 1 km.

The 39-year-old will wear the rainbow jersey in the final season of her career.

"I wanted to do the Yorkshire 2.0 today, but that didn't happen. Both have a story to tell.

"It's beautiful to wear the rainbow jersey.

"It's beautiful to wear the rainbow jersey. It was still fun, but next year I want to enjoy it to the fullest."