Photo Credit: Cor Vos
A dominant Team DSM display saw the team ever present in any dangerous breakaways with three riders making the decisive move; going on to set up fast finisher Lorena Wiebes to take a sublime sprint finish win on the opening day at Simac Ladies Tour.
It was a fast start to the day with lots of attacks in the exposed areas of road, with the team ever alert to the danger and ensuring they were always represented in the move. With things regrouping it was only a matter of time before another group clear and this time it was the decisive one - with Franziska Koch, Charlotte Kool and Wiebes making the split for the team. Koch expertly patrolled the bunch and set a good pace, keeping things together as the attacks flew in the finale; setting up a bunch sprint. Kool brought guided Wiebes through the final twists and turns in the closing kilometre, flicking her elbow to release Wiebes at 200 metres to go. Wiebes then delivered her trademark powerful sprint, with no one able to match her as she sat up to celebrate a first win in the European Champion's jersey.
Click here for quotes and reaction from Wiebes and coaching staff. |