In the Postnord Vårgårda West Sweden road race today, boasting a new-look course with more than 28km of gravel in eight sectors, a 40-rider peloton came to the line for a sprint finish. Hannah Barnes and Lisa Klein were in a 40km breakaway before being caught by the peloton after the second of six finish circuits. The fast-paced race was broadcast live from start to finish and spectators witnessed an exciting race. Alena Amialiusik, Hannah Barnes and Lisa Klein all went with later breakaways but weren’t able to prevent a bunch sprint. Marta Bastianelli (VRT) won the race ahead of Marianne Vos (CCC).

Read the reactions from each of the riders below after today’s road race.

Alice Barnes

“I felt good in the road race today but had a really badly-timed puncture before the climb the second time round when the peloton split, and I wasn’t able to make the front group. Overall my shape is good and I am looking forward to next week in Ladies Tour of Norway.”

Alena Amialiusik

“The road race today was also hard. I actually really enjoyed the gravel sections! We had a plan and we followed that. Unfortunately Elena crashed and we couldn’t have her in the final as we wanted, but in general we worked very well together and we tried many times to create an opportunity for us to win from.”

Hannah Barnes

“The first half of the road race today went to plan. We had Lisa and I in the 14-rider break but unfortunately after 70km when we were caught by the peloton, Elena was involved in a crash which caused her to abandon, and Alice got an untimely puncture. From there on, we were outnumbered. I made sure I stayed well positioned and tried to go with everything that was dangerous but nothing stuck so it was a bunch sprint.”

Lisa Klein

“The road race went well for us in the beginning with Hannah and I in a good breakaway like we wanted. Unfortunately Elena crashed and Alice punctured so we missed them both in the final laps. The race was full gas all the time and the gravel section shortly before the finish caused a lot of chaos.”

“I gave my best to go for the final but I have to be honest I was empty. On reflection I probably worked too hard in the breakaway but it was our plan to create that situation and keep Elena fresh for the final.”

Elena Cecchini

“After today’s road race, I hope the luck will be with me from now on. Bad luck has been around me too much in the last couple of months so I’m just looking forward. Until my crash at around 80km today, I can say the team road amazing.”

Facebook

Twitter