Alena Amialiusik finished the Lotto Belgium Tour with seventh in the final stage and fifth in the general classification. Alena led a small group into the fourth and final climb up the Muur van Geraardsbergen to the finish line, but was overtaken in the final slopes. The stage and overall was won by Lotte Kopecky (Belgium).

“I tried today in the final but it didn’t work out as well as yesterday,” said Alena.

“I felt quite okay, especially in the last half of the race. The race organisers did a good job with choosing challenging courses and today was another tough one. There was constant action and you needed to stay concentrated the whole time.”

“Four times up the Muur was brutal and painful! After yesterday’s stage, that climb was even more brutal. We raced well together and the whole team committed to our plan, even though I couldn’t bring it to the finish line today. I feel confident that I am back in full race mode after my injury and look forward to the Giro d’Italia Donne next week,” added Alena.

ALICE BARNES

“The tour overall was good. I was happy with my prologue. It is something I get better at year on year.

We finished the first stage disappointed that we didn’t ride enough as a team but I would definitely say we corrected that for stage two with how we rode. We rode the whole race perfectly and Alena finished it off. 

Today was tough. We were limited in numbers at times but everyone did what they could to put Alena in the best position. She was where she needed to be but didn’t quite have the legs in the final. We have come away really happy and I think everyone has learned a lot.”

NEVE BRADBURY

“My tour was okay. I found positioning quite hard in the technical, Belgian roads. It was great to see Alena win stage two after a brutal race. She was so happy and her happiness was contagious. We were all stoked for her.”

HANNAH LUDWIG

“Overall I’m happy with my tour. I did quite a good prologue. Stage one we didn’t race so well, but stage two was just incredible and I’m really proud of our race and the team, and I’m so, so happy for Alena. Today was just tough!”

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