Alice Barnes narrowly missed a stage win and taking the overall leader’s jersey after an impressive ride on stage two at Healthy Ageing Tour in Grootegast, Netherlands. Barnes, who attacked the front group with 10km remaining in the stage was beaten by Amy Pieters (DLT) in a two-up sprint.

“When I crossed the line I really felt like I had won,” said Barnes after the stage.

The front group of 14 riders formed within the first 10km of the race and would never be seen again by the peloton. Three CANYON//SRAM riders were present: Alice Barnes, Lisa Klein and Trixi Worrack.

“We knew that the race was going to split straight away with the predicted wind gusts of 60km/hour. There was a small split with nine riders that had Lisa and Trixi in it, and then I got across with a couple of other riders,” said Barnes.

“When we came to the final circuits there were some attacks which we followed. When the group came back together again I decided to attack so we weren’t on the back foot. I had a small gap on Amy (Pieters) but when she joined me we worked well together and then the stage win was between us.”

Pieters launched her sprint first with Barnes powering home in the final metres. “It was a very long sprint. Amy went first and got a small gap on me. It took me some time to close it and then I was coming around her. It was a photo finish. I’m really happy with second. The win would have been nice but we have more opportunities,” commented Barnes.

Sports Director Ronny Lauke praised the team’s performance on the stage. “To see both Lisa and Alice at their young age, make that front group with many of the big names of the peloton inside it, it was very impressive to see. The team really put themselves in a great position and then with Alice attacking they took the initiative to make the greatest impact on the general classification also. I’m very pleased with the group.”

For her efforts on stage two Barnes also won the Combativity Jersey, while Lisa Klein maintains her lead in the Best Young Rider classification.

Tomorrow is a split stage with a 66km road stage at 10:00 CET in Winschoten and a 17km team time trial in Stadskanaal starting at 15:00 CET in the afternoon. Both stages are broadcast live on Podium TV.

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