CANYON//SRAM Racing: Lisa Brennauer sprints to third at Dwars door Vlaanderen

All images: ©Velofocus

Lisa Brennauer today sprinted to third place at Dwars door Vlaanderen in Waregem, Belgium. After the Oude Kwaremont 78km into the race, the iconic Paterberg climb quickly followed where a selection of 16 riders was created with 4 riders from CANYON//SRAM Racing: Lisa Brennauer, Hannah Barnes, Alena Amialiusik and Tiffany Cromwell. The team tried several attacks, with Hannah Barnes solo move in the final lasting until 2km to go, before the small peloton sprinted to the line. The race was won by Lotta Lepistö (CBT) from Gracie Elvin (OGE) with Brennauer in third place.

Read below the rider's comments on the race with images from Velofocus.

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Barbara Guarischi kept her teammates in good position in preparation for the first big climb of the day, the Oude Kwaremont: "We rode really well. It was quite a crazy race with the winds really strong the whole time. It was causing some crashes and both Leah and Lisa were involved in some. My role was in the first part of the race, to be with any moves and to look after the position of my teammates before the first big where the group then split and the selection was made."  

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Leah Thorvilson in the bunch through Ooigem. "I had a crash that needed a bike change. By the time I got back going there was quite a gap. I chased but it was futile and I had to pull out of the race. I have some nice road rash and a few bumps but I'm okay."

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Lisa Brennauer in a great position on the Paterberg climb. "It was a pretty hectic race overall. I had a good position over both the two main climbs. I've been really happy after this section when we had four riders we could play our numbers."  

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Alena Amialiusik at the top of the Paterberg: "We wanted a hard race and at the end we had the cards to play in the front. We decided to keep Lisa for the sprint as she was feeling good, and that myself, Tiff and Hannah would work the break and look for opportunities to attack. I liked how we worked together in this part of the race. In the final I was the second last lead out for Lisa." 

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British road champion Hannah Barnes on her way to sign in: "In the final, just after Alena's (Amialiusik) attack had been brought back I went. It was still about 4.5km to the finish but I tried to hold it as long as I could. When I was caught at 2km to go I tried to recover quickly and then help in the first part of the lead out for Lisa.  I enjoyed the race and I felt really good." 

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Lisa Brennauer sprints to the line. "I've been in a break with Annemiek van Vleuten going over the last climb but we were caught back and then my teammates immediately started some aggressive racing with lots of attacks and in the final still trying to get away. When that didn't work then they've led me out for the sprint where I was third. Our group did a really good race."

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