STUTTGART, Sept 29: Marta Bastianelli of Italy shot from the leading group on the final lap to stage a solo victory in the women’s road race at the world championships on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Bastianelli got clear with 15 km to go and held off the pack to complete the 133.7 km, over seven laps of the Killesberg Park course, in an unofficial time of three hours, 46 minutes 34 seconds to take the rainbow jersey.

“The attack wasn’t planned,” Bastianelli told reporters after her spectacular escape on the punishing course. “I just went for it because I knew I’d have no chance in a bunch sprint.”

Defending champion Marianne Vos of the Netherlands won a sprint for second place ahead of the Italian Giorgia Bronzini in third, as the chasing riders came in six seconds behind the winner.

The world championships continue later on Saturday with the men’s Under-23 road race over 171.9 km.

The elite men’s race closes the championships on Sunday.

—Reuters