All images: ©Velofocus
Elena Cecchini today finished sixth in another exciting edition of Ronde van Vlaanderen. The Italian road champion sprinted to sixth from a group of 19 riders to finish behind winner Coryn Rivera (SUN), with Gracie Elvin (OGE) and Chantal Blaak (DLT) second and third respectively.
See the race gallery and rider comments below.
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Elena Cecchini: "There is of course some disappointment about the sprint because you never race for 6th place. But I am proud of the fact that we were there and trying to win one of the hardest races. That didn't happen really often last year. I'm proud of the girls and how we raced and I'm sure that one day we will Flanders."
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Pauline Ferrand-Prévot: “It feels great to be again at the front! I was trying everything to bring our group back to the four leaders because I knew that Elena had a good chance to win in a sprint. I’m not disappointed about the result, it’s racing! Every race as a team we are doing better and today the win was so close.”
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Hannah Barnes: “My first Flanders and it didn’t disappoint. We raced really well, always together going into the important and dangerous sections. I was really pleased to have been in the position to help with the chase at the finish. We have a lot of positives to take away from today’s race.”
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Trixi Worrack: "We did everything good in the race and were in contention for the win with three riders! The win will come.”
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Tiffany Cromwell: “I didn’t have the best legs today. My job was to work for the team in the early parts of the race. I did as much as I could until the Kanarieberg and then I didn’t the legs to follow the moves or help any further after that."
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Lisa Brennauer: “I didn’t have the legs today so it was a hard fight for me.”
The team will next race Healthy Ageing Tour in The Netherlands, a five-day stage race from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 April with a roster of Hannah Barnes, Lisa Brennauer, Tiffany Cromwell, Barbara Guarischi, Mieke Kröger and Alexis Ryan.
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