Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) has won the Tour of Flanders. In a rain-drenched Oudenaarde, Longo Borghini defeated her two fellow escapees in the sprint. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM) came second, Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) third. Van Anrooij started the sprint for her leader.
It is the second time for Longo Borghini to win Flanders Most Beautiful. Then, in 2015, the now 32-year-old Italian was the youngest ever winner of the Tour. Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) won the sprint of the chasing group, ahead of defending champion Lotte Kopecky (SD-Worx).
About twenty kilometers before the finish, the Dutch van Anrooij had jumped away from the leading group. Teammate Longo Borghini and Niewiadoma joined after the Paterberg. The Italian chased her teammate, instead of letting her Polish competitor close the gap. However, the hugs after arrival showed no resentment within Lidl-Trek.
Team orders
“The plan was to let SD Worx do the work and I was told in the end that I could try it on the Paterberg,” Longo Borghini responded afterwards. “I knew Niewiadoma wanted to attack and there were two of us at the top. I thought: now full throttle and I’m going to win this here. That I drove to Shirin? The team allowed that, it was team orders and Shirin was also waiting for us.”
“This means a lot,” he said. “The team has done a fantastic job. I had bad luck along the way and also fell. Thanks to their support I came back. Ending 1 and 3 here, that’s great. And I actually like driving in the rain, even though I don’t like it (laughs). Not that we’re going to throw a big party now, I’m not much of a party animal. This is also different from that win in 2015, now I realize it more.”
On the Koppenberg, about 45 kilometers from the finish, it became clear that world champion Lotte Kopecky would not book her third Tour victory in a row. She had to put her foot down there. Kopecky subsequently returned to the group of favorites, but sacrificed himself for teammate Demi Vollering. Both riders were no longer eligible for victory.
The women’s peloton, just like its male colleagues, immediately showed eagerness. From the official starting signal, one attack followed another. After twenty kilometers of racing this led to a leading group with Justine Ghekiere, Mieke Docx, Gladys Verhulst-Wild, Elena Pirrone and Josie Talbot. With 100 kilometers to go, the five leaders cycled 3:30 ahead of the peloton. Docx’s candle was the first to go out, she was swallowed up before climbing Marlborough Street. Just before the climb of the Kapelleberg, 53 kilometers from the finish, a cross could be made about the early flight.
Top 10
1. Elizabeth Long Borghini
2. Katarzyna Niewiadoma
3. Shirin van Anrooij
4. Marianne Vos
5. Lotte Kopecky
6. Puck Pieterse
7. Silvia Persico
8. Demi Vollering
9. Letizia Paternoster
10. Karlijn Swinkels
More later.
