There was no rest for CANYON//SRAM Racing, with four of its five riders today racing Classic Lorient Agglomération – Trophée Ceratizit fresh from helping Kasia Niewiadoma to the Maillot Jaune at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift last weekend. The small team raced strongly, and Chloé Dygert finished the work by taking an impressive second place after a late attack.

Heavy rain faced the peloton at the start of the 158km Women’s World Tour race in Plouay, France. As the rain eased, the peloton sprang into action, catching an early breakaway with around 50km left to race. Alice Towers was essential in ensuring her teammates were within striking distance of attacks.

Chloé was in a formidable seven-rider new breakaway just a few kilometres later, but the peloton reeled it in after a hard-fought chase. A lone leader forged ahead and held a gap of over two minutes before Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka joined the chase with Lidl-Trek to bring the gap down to a handful of seconds.

As the race came to the final lap of the traditional circuit around Plouay, Lianne Lippert (MOV) launched an attack. Only Chloé and Mischa Bredewold (SDW) could bridge across, and the trio worked together as the finish line closed in. With a lull in the group, Chloé attacked and held the lead until Bredeworld overtook the CANYON//SRAM Racing rider in the closing metres before the line.

RIDER REACTIONS

Chloé Dygert:  “There were definitely mixed emotions from our team being back at the race after the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, ha, I’m joking. We had good weather towards the finish after heavy rain on our way to the start. All in all, it was a pretty okay day!

On the climb where Lippert attacked, I got cut off and almost came to a standstill, so getting back up to speed and getting across was a big effort! Luckily, Bredewold was there to help, and we could catch Lippert with about 3km to go. I heard on the radio how close the peloton was getting with 1km to go, and at that point, we were all looking at each other, so I took a chance on a late attack. I’ve never really been a good gambler; I’ll get it one day.

I’m really pleased with my progression from the Paris Olympic Games to now. Everything is coming together nicely, and I’m looking forward to getting stronger for world championships.”

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