A kind of mixed relay team time trial, that’s the best way to describe the mixed relay. Three men were allowed to open the debates for each country. After a local lap of 14 kilometers they passed the imaginary baton to three women. They were given the same assignment.
So having a balanced team was the most important thing. The Australians had that. Both the men and the women did well in their home countries. They ensured a first top time.
Belgium preferred the road race and did not choose the best possible team. Nathan Van Hooydonck, Quinten Hermans and Pieter Serry performed within expectations. Jesse Vandenbulcke, Julie De Wilden and Valerie Demey stayed together well and confirmed. The verdict was a solid 8th place.
In the last wave, the top favorites were discussed in quick succession. The Netherlands wanted to go for gold with a very strong team, including Van der Poel, Van Vleuten and Van Dijk. But bad luck decided otherwise.
First Mollema had to give up quickly with chain problems, then Van Vleuten clattered to the surface when starting after the change. Van Vleuten had to leave. The fall will undoubtedly affect her road trip.
Switzerland lived up to its favorite role. The Swiss men’s trio with Küng, Bissegger and Schmidt set the best time. The women – with Marlen Reusser (third in the individual time trial) – also did well. They took a serious bite of the Australian end time.
Italy came very close. Ganna and co first had to give in to the Swiss for 10 seconds. The women did even better afterwards, but Longo Borghini and U23 world champion Guazzini came three seconds short of the finish.
And so Switzerland was allowed to cheer. Italy and Australia completed the crowded stage.
Source: Sporza
