Barbara Guarischi has sprinted to third today in the UCI 1.1 Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli in Monteveglio, Italy. The Italian was third behind Chloe Hosking (WHT) and in a photo finish with Marianne Vos (RLT) for the podium places.

The 79km race had a 1.6km climb that the peloton took on six times. Despite several attacks the peloton stayed together until Sarah Roy (Australian national team) made a solo move on the third last lap. Roy, together with chasing duo of Lepisto (CBT) and Jasinska (ALE) were caught by the peloton in the last eight kilometres and it was CANYON//SRAM Racing that took control of the race in the final kilometres. Guarischi rewarded the team with a third place in the sprint.

Afterwards Guarischi’s team mate Trixi Worrack explained the tactics of CANYON//SRAM Racing. “At first we were looking for opportunities to create a break. Either on the climb or on another part of the circuit. I am feeling good, also in yesterday’s race, so I tried an attack after the climb on the second lap but the move didn’t last long. We saw quickly then that the race was going to be fast, especially on the climb.”

“After four laps, with the peloton always coming back together, we made the decision then to go for our sprinter Barbara. In the final lap we did a lot of work, especially Mieke (Kröger), to bring back the riders off the front. From the climb until the finish we did everything with no words, we knew what to do, our lead out was strong and there was no other team that could hold the speed,” said Worrack.

Guarischi admitted that a longer race would have favoured the climbers. “We did some work in the first part of the race, looking out and positioning each other, but nothing was looking like it was able to stay away. Later when Trixi made the call it would be a bunch sprint then I had their support for the finish. On the final climb I was just behind the front group of 15 climbers. I was with Tiffany (Cromwell) and I followed her on the descent, she did it super, and then we were in the front group with the rest of the peloton chasing us.”

“Our team were all in the front and got organised for the sprint. Elena (Cecchini) was my last lead out and she brought me through to 150m to go. Vos started just before me and then I came back at her, it was close between us. Hosking passed us and was a clear winner.”

“The team deserved a result for the work we did, a win would have been ideal. But I’m proud of how we raced as a team. This race wasn’t normally in my program, but my team brought me here and I’m glad I had the opportunity to race and then could deliver a result.”

Following the race Directeur Sportif Beth Duryea said it was an impressive team effort. “The team followed on from the good work and commitment to each other that they demonstrated in yesterday’s Giro dell’Emilia race. In the end for Barbara to finish third, on a course that isn’t the most suited to her strengths is a great indication of her form and of the team’s overall commitment to each other.”

The team has its next and final race of the season in the team time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar on 9 October.

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