Cyclist’s sweet revenge

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 44

Cyclist’s sweet revenge

NZPA-Reuter Seoul Monique Knol has avoided Jeannie Longo since an incident at this year’s Tour de France where the Dutch woman claimed she was punched by the French champion. Knol hit back yesterday in the sweetest manner possible, winning the Olympic gold medal in the individual road race, an event Longo has ruled for several years. Defeat will be even more bitter for Longo as without the French team’s help yesterday morning Knol would not even have mounted her bike. The coach carrying the Dutch team crashed into a car after going through a red light on the way to the site of the road race about

30km outside the South Korean capital. No one was injured but the coach was almost a write-off. Dutch officials waved down the next coach which happened to be carrying the French team. “Longo and Monique arrived together but still some way apart,” said

one Dutch supporter who saw the incident. By the time her bike had arrived Knol had only minutes to prepare herself for the race. With Longo still suffering the after-effects of a hip fracture, Knol knew she had a good chance of a medal on a flat course which suited her fast finish. Despite attempts by many riders to break away, the 82km race ended in a sprint and Knol flashed home ahead of Jutta Niehaus, of West Germany, and Laina Ziiporitee, of the Soviet Union. Longo was twenty-first. “Over the last kilometre I was in the middle of the pack and not in a good position. About 400 metres out I saw a little hole and

whoosh I went for it,” said Knol, who wore an orange ribbon, the Dutch national colour, to tie her pigtail. Knol has learned fast since following the sporting route taken by Beth Heiden, the Olympic speed skating bronze medallist who went on to become world road race champion. Four years ago she turned to cycling after using it as fitness for speed skating in winter. One of these stages was the prologue to the women’s Tour de France. Longo, apparently incensed at being robbed of the yellow jersey in her home country, is said to have hit Knol. Longo went on to win the tour. N.Z. cyclists, page 24.