In the closing stages of the Paris Olympics women's road race, Blanka Vas (Hungary) and Marianne Vos (Netherlands) escaped in the last 20 km and looked like they would at least take the silver medal, but in the last 5 km Kristen Faulkner (USA) and Lotte Kopecksy (Belgium) caught them both.

After Faulkner's breakaway win, Vass was forced to sprint for the medal against two of the sport's biggest names.

There was a mixture of sadness and joy in the 22-year-old's eyes when he spoke to Cycling News. Another fourth place."

Vass has had great results in both cyclocross and road, winning stages at the Tour de Suisse and Giro Donne in 2023 and taking the under-23 title at the UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow last year.

However, he had a different result at the 2021 road world championships in Belgium and the mountain bike cross-country at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing a similarly close fourth.

Although it was heartbreaking to be out of the medals, Vass looked on the bright side. He said, "I think we should be happy because we made it to the final. It was an exciting race. It still takes time to improve. I'm still young, so it's great motivation for the future."

For her Parisian rivals, Vos is no unknown quantity. She and Vos are friendly rivals in cyclocross and she reflected on her first big success in Essen in 2019.

"I remember my first cyclocross podium in Belgium, where I was second behind Marianne Vos. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be, but we have competed together in cyclocross and I felt the same (here).

Her fourth place was even more remarkable in that Vos and Kopecký had three teammates and Faulkner had one, while Vas started the race without a teammate.

"I went into the race without any pressure. Like Marianne and Lotte, for example. And if I was there, I wanted to follow them. That was my goal. I think I need to be happy because I was able to stay with them and it was a really hard race. I just need more experience."

Vass has extended his contract through 2027 to continue his experience and rise through the ranks at SD Works Pro Time.