Marianne Vos and world champion success go hand in hand. The Dutchwoman has won nine medals at the road race world championships and could win her tenth medal and fourth career rainbow jersey at Saturday's elite women's road race in Wollongong, Australia.

The rainbow jersey would also be the second of 2022 for the 35-year-old, who ended an eight-year drought to win her eighth cyclocross world title in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Between 2007 and 2011, Vos won five consecutive silver medals at the road world championships and gold at the cyclocross world championships from 2009 to 2014.

And as in 2006, 2013, and 2014, Vos again achieved the double, winning both the cyclocross and road race world titles in the same season.

"A lot can happen at the world championships, but what I try to do is be as prepared as possible, and I think I'm ready," Vos told Cycling News at the Dutch team hotel in Sydney.

Vos has already tasted success at the 2010 World Championships in Geelong, where she won the silver medal behind winner Giorgia Bronzini, and has already tasted success at the Australian World Championships. Vos, however, is not looking for revenge 12 years later.

"No, it doesn't feel that way. It was a long time ago. I have good memories of riding and racing in Australia and I'm happy to be back."

Bronzini is one of only four Italian riders to win the rainbow jersey over Vos, and the only one to win it twice in a row, in 2010 and 2011. 2006 Marta Bastianelli, 2009 Tatiana Gudelzo, and Elisa Balsamo accomplished the feat in Flanders last year. So it should come as no surprise that the Azzurri are one of the teams to watch for the boss.

"We have a very strong team and a very strong block in Italy, but we are not only focusing on Italy. 'There are many strong teams and strong individuals. So we're not just focusing on one player or one team."

"Of course we want to play to our strengths as much as possible and never underestimate other teams."

Laughing off the favorite status given to her by the UCI's social media channels, Voss added that there are many riders that the governing body can highlight.

"There is a lot of potential on this course. The profiles are very interesting. There are so many different types of riders that could be on our team as well as the competition as a whole." I don't think it will be easy to pick the riders I really like. It's going to be a very exciting race and I'm looking forward to it."

Vos has not raced in over a month, last winning four of six stages at the Tour of Scandinavia. This victory followed stage wins at the Giro d'Italia Donnay and Tour de France Fam, and her victory at the Postnord Volgorda West Sweden was also thanks to her "puppy dog legs."

"I'm really happy to have a good result in this block of races. 'I went to the high country for training camp and I feel good. I want to be at my best on Saturday."

Vos' popularity was further boosted when teammate Annemiek van Fruten crashed in the mixed TTT, making the start of Saturday's race uncertain.

"When I saw the crash I was in shock and I just hoped she was okay," Vos said of the crash.

"We all know how strong Anne-Mike is and what she can do. So we will see how she is tomorrow and Saturday. It's good that she slept well and was able to ride her bike today."

"We'll see how she does.

The Dutch team is a strong contender to win the rainbow jersey for the fifth time in six years, and Vos is confident that despite the unfortunate circumstances, they are ready to deliver results.

"I don't think we need to think about different scenarios regarding the race," said the boss.

And which lap the winning move will unfold, "I don't know, and who knows? We'll just have to wait and see."