Olympic champ Van Vleuten breaks elbow at cycling worlds

WOLLONGONG, Australia (AP) — Dutch star Annemiek van Vleuten crashed heavily at the world road cycling championships and sustained a broken elbow. The Olympic and world champion is one of the biggest names at the Wollongong worlds. She had a mechanical problem at the start of the mixed team relay. The 39-year-old Van Vleuten, who is doubtful for Saturday’s road race, tweeted: “Back from hospital Wollongong… Stable fracture elbow, no surgery needed. I am allowed to ride my bike, but depends on pain and need to be sensible.” Her crash overshadowed the mixed team relay, where Switzerland won gold, Italy the silver and Australia the bronze.