Image: ©Velofocus
It was a weekend of podiums for CANYON//SRAM Racing as Lisa Brennauer took third on the general classification and Barbara Guarischi won the sprinters jersey at the Healthy Ageing Tour in Netherlands. Adding to that, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot was second in the Swiss MTB Cup in Rivera, Switzerland.
Guarischi was part of an early breakaway of three riders on the final stage in Borkum, caught just 3km before the finish. After a second place on stage 1b and placing in the intermediate sprints throughout the week, Guarischi said she could be happy with the tour.
"Yesterday I just wanted to be in good position in one particular section and then all of a sudden we were in the break, and after that I went for the intermediate sprints to secure this jersey. At the start of the week all I wanted was a stage win. But to be close to a stage win, and then to take home the sprint jersey, I'm happy with this and also it's a good result for the team."
Lisa Brennauer moved into third on the general classification at the start of the week with a strong effort in the opening individual time trial stage. Brennauer maintained her position throughout the week, including a stage win on the 3rd stage in Stadskanaal.
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Following the tour Director Sportif Barry Austin said, "Lisa got her result in the ITT but to keep her 3rd on the GC was a team effort. And not only did we keep her there but also got a stage win and a sprint jersey. We are busy with some important building within the team. These podiums and wins are important phases in that process and we are not done yet."
Across in Switzerland, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot placed second in her third MTB race of the season in the Proffix Swiss Cup. The five-lap technical course was in warm conditions around beautiful Monte Tamaro. Rio Olympic champion Jenny Rissveds took a lead on the first lap and went on to win the race by more than two minutes. Sina Frei was four minutes behind in third place.
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After the race Ferrand-Prévot talked about her second place and the course. “I am happy to be here racing. In the first part of the race I wasn’t so good, but then I felt better. Jenny was strong and I just could not follow her at the start.”
“The course was a nice lap. It was hard, with almost no opportunity to recover or to be able to take a drink. There was a long climb at the beginning, the downhill sections were technical and fast."
“I think that the second, it’s my place today and I’m happy with that. It’s also good training to race on a course like this and hopefully I can keep progressing for the MTB World Cups.”
The team now will prepare for the week of Ardennes Classics.
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