Marta Bastianelli capped off a dominating performance by the Italian team and won the gold medal ahead of defending champion Marianne Vos (Netherlands). Giorgia Bronzini won the bronze medal and Noemi Cantele (Italy) in fifth completed the brilliant result for the Squadra Azzurra.
The attack of the 49 kilo (108 pounds) Bastianelli came right in time and she held off the group of about 15 riders that was chasing behind her. With two Italians in the group they had all options open.
"I can't believe it," said the winner with tears in her eyes. "This confirms my results from this year." She explained that her tactic wasn't a planned move. "I had to attack to get away from the strong sprinters in the group. It wasn't planned, it was a spontaneous move. We wanted above all to avoid a sprint with Marianne Vos."
"Ora fatemi conoscere Totti. Lui ha vinto il mondiale lo scorso anno qui in Germania, e io l'ho imitato oggi. Il mio sogno ora รจ andare a Trigoria e incontrarlo" (Now I want to meet Totti. He won the World Cup the last years here in Germany and I imitated him today. It's my dream to go to Trigoria and meet him).
Photos: The Italian team at the start of the Women's Road Race, World Championships, Stuttgart with Martina at the far right; crossing the finish ahead of the small group; tears
UPDATE November, 2008: Italy's anti-doping tribunal suspended Bastianelli for one-year in October as a result of her positive control for appetite suppressant flenfluramine. She can return to racing August 6, 2009.
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