20.03.2022 World-Tour, News, Race news
SORAYA TAKES OUR FIRST WORLD TOUR PODIUM
CANYON//SRAM Racing took its first World Tour podium of the 2022 season when Soraya Paladin put in a strong sprint to take third place at today’s Trofeo Alfredo Binda – Comune di Cittiglio.
Soraya spent some energy in an earlier move that later came back as the peloton slowly dwindled in numbers with a constant pattern of attack and regroup on the four local circuits. Elise Chabbey was also in a move with 16km remaining and managed to sprint to seventh place in the final.
“I had more pressure today from the start of the race, being the team leader which pushed me out of my comfort zone,” says Elise.
“Thankfully our road captain Alena gave me a lot of encouragement during the race which was helpful. Mikayla, Ella and Pauliena raced really well too. I’m disappointed the last break I was in didn’t get away but it was nice to know that Soraya was in the group behind and that she could sprint and make it onto the podium for us!” adds Elise.
For Soraya, it marks her first World Tour podium from a sprint finish. She explains how the race went.
“We wanted to be active in the race and Ella, Mikayla and Pauliena all attacked in the early part of the race. Later in the race, I was in a good break myself but DSM missed it and they chased it back. There were a lot of attacks and Alena covered a lot. Elise also was in a good break in the last part of the race but not everyone wanted to work and, again, it came back.”
“The plan was if it comes to a bunch sprint then it would be for me. It was a strange feeling because it’s the first time I have this kind of pressure from the team. I enjoyed it. I wanted to give something back to my teammates.”
“Elise did a lot of work in the last kilometre to put me where I wanted to be. I was second into the last corner and started my sprint from there. Balsamo was strong so I don’t think I could ask for a better result today in a bunch sprint. I’m happy for myself because it’s a World Tour podium, also my first one from a sprint, but also really happy for our team as we’re racing strongly together and that gives us confidence for the next races.”
Images: Thomas Maheux
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