"She’s not unbeatable" - Adam Blythe comments on Annemiek van Vleuten's performance

Annemiek van Vleuten is in her last season of professional cycling, her performance at the start of the season has been below par compared to last year and Adam Blythe thinks this presents a chance for her rivals to shine.

"She’s not unbeatable," Blythe told Eurosport. "Tactics come into it massively. Your team comes into it massively, having that support, that’s probably the main thing, and taking advantage of her misfortune.”

He further adds, "I don’t mean attacking after she’s crashed, but realising where she is on the road and if she’s a little bit behind, if she’s caught back in the peloton, if it’s a dangerous moment, you’ve got to take advantage of every single second when you can on her.”

He thinks that it is inevitable that another cyclist will take the place of the Movistar rider. The Dutchwoman finished 64th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad WE, her next tartget will be Strade Bianche.“But also to see Van Vleuten, final year, really going for it. There's a range of new sprinters coming in as well, which seem a lot more dominant,” concluded Blythe.