Chloe Dygart (USA) became the first road race world champions at the Worlds in Richmond. In what has been a superb week for Dygart, gold in the Junior Women’s road race was her second triumph in the World Championships after victory on Monday in the Time Trial. The US Junior Women’s team underlined their domination of their category in Richmond’s World Championships as USA team-mate Emma White, already a silver medallist behind Dygart in the Time Trial, once again took silver in the Road Race. Poland’s Agnieszka Skalniak clinched the bronze.

With over a lap remaining, Dygart soared away on the toughest part of the course from a four-rider break, containing Skalniak, White and Juliette Labous (France) and which had formed mid-way through the race. Dygart’s margin as she crossed the finishing line for the second time was only around 18 seconds, but she had enough fuel in the tank to remain ahead of the chasing trio the last lap and claim an impressive lone victory in the 64.8 kilometre event. By the finish line, the Indiana-born rider was 1 minute and 23 seconds ahead of White, who after breaking away late on, claimed silver with a five second margin over Skalniak.

“There was a point where I got a small gap, looked back, and decided to see what happened if I kept going,” Dygart said later, confirming she had not made a planned attack. “I felt pretty strong, I wasn’t tired and I knew I had the legs.” 

'I really wanted us to podium. Going both races one-two is awesome,'' Dygert said. ''I couldn't be happier. Great team, we all worked so hard and I'm so glad we could do this.''