By Geert De Clercq and Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) – First-time Olympian Kristen Faulkner of the U.S. was by no means the favourite to win the women’s road race on the Paris streets on Sunday but in a three-way cycling strategy poker game the former venture capitalist rode away with the gold medal.
In the final stages of the 158-km contest, Faulkner sprinted away from a four-rider group that included the two favourites, Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, 2023 road race world champion, and Dutch veteran Marianne Vos, one of the greatest of all time.
Kopecky and Vos – in the company of Hungary’s Blanka Vas – knew full well that whoever led the chase to close the gap with Faulkner would not have the legs to win the final sprint under the Eiffel Tower.
The Dutch and Belgian riders eyed one another, held back just a split second to calculate their medal chances, and let Faulker ride away to gold.
The American told Reuters she had to win solo to beat the other riders because they are faster on the finish line.
“I was guessing they would not work super well together, because there were four of us and only three medals,” she said.
Faulkner, 31, who was a varsity rower for two seasons at Harvard University, has worked in several investment capital firms in New York and San Francisco, but quit in 2020 to pursue a career in cycling after winning some club races.
She told a news conference her finance background had taught her valuable lessons about risk and reward.
Before being a cyclist, Faulkner was a venture capitalist, investing in early-stage technology companies, which carry big risks and big rewards.
“A lot of what I learned to do is how to take calculated risks. In a race, I take that mindset with me,” she said.
MOMENT OF CONFUSION
Vos, who won Olympic road race gold in 2012 and nine world championship medals including golds in 2006, 2012 and 2013, said a moment of confusion created opportunity for Faulkner.
“There was a moment of doubt as I was hoping Kopecky would do it, but Kopecky was hoping that I would do it,” she said.
“We probably both did not have much strength left and, like me, she doubted, thinking that if she did it it would benefit Marianne, and I thought that if I did it, I would blow myself up,” said Vos, 37, who is competing in her fifth Olympics.
“We did not consult. Next thing (Faulkner) was gone,” she added.
For Kopecky, still traumatised by coming fourth in Tokyo in 2021, bronze was the reward, the risk was missing out on a podium place again.
The Belgian has another shot at gold in track racing next week.
“My goal was a medal, ideally gold, but I am happy with this one, it is such a relief. Next week I will give it another try. This (bronze medal) gives me a free feeling, and I can take more risks,” she said.
Belgium’s coach Ludwig Willem told reporters Kopecky had played her cards well and that a medal will bring serenity for next week.
“It is indeed a poker game. One cannot say she played it badly,” he said.
(Reporting by Geert De Clercq and Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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