Dideriksen claims surprise World Road Race title

Denmark’s Amalie Dideriksen stunned the big guns to win the elite women’s road race world title in Doha on Saturday.

The Netherlands team controlled the majority of the 134.5-km race in the Qatari capital.

Great Britain were also in the mix throughout with Lizzie Deignan (née Armitstead) looking to make it two world road race titles in a row.

An attack by American Amber Neben, who won the time trial title, with just under 50 kilometres to go had earlier given hopes of a double rainbow jersey, but her challenge faded.

It was the Dutch team, however, that dominated the final few kilometres and had their entire team leading the peloton.

Their pre-race favourite, Kirsten Wild kicked off the sprint following a lead-out from Marianne Vos, but Dideriksen had other ideas and was quickly on Wild’s rear wheel.

With 25 metres to the line the 20-year-old made her move and surged past Wild for a fine victory.

Finland’s Lotto Lepisto took third place while Deignan was fourth.

The men’s road race takes place on Sunday.