US track cyclist Chloé Dygert claimed her first rainbow jersey on Thursday evening since she lacerated her leg in a crash in 2020.
The 26-year-old took victory in the individual pursuit at the Track World Championships in Glasgow, beating the defending champion Franziska Brauße (Germany) in the final. Dygert caught Brauße in the final 200m of the 3km event, before clocking a time of 3-17.542 over the line.
“I’m so thankful, I’m so happy to be on that top step,” the American told Cycling Weekly after the medal ceremony. “Hearing that national anthem just brought chills to my body.”
Dygert’s world title, a career fourth in the individual pursuit, came three years after her accident suffered in the time trial at the 2020 World Championships . During her effort in Imola, Italy, she flipped over a metal barrier and sliced her left thigh. The injury has since required her to undergo three rounds of surgery.
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU… Cycling Weekly “The journey has been very tough,” she said of her return to world champion status. “There have been a lot of ups and downs. There’s been a lot of inconsistency. There’s been more injury than just the leg – I’ve had Epstein-Barr [virus], I’ve had heart surgery.
“It’s been a lot to overcome, and I’m very grateful to not only have the physical ability to perform, but also the mental capacity to overcome setbacks.”
Despite her title-winning form, Dygert insisted that she is yet to return to her best level. “I hate to say […]
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