In bitter weather conditions, CANYON//SRAM Racing finished Ronde van Drenthe with Tiffany Cromwell and Alice Barnes in 13th and 16th place respectively. The race was won by Marta Bastianelli (TRV) ahead of Chantal Blaak (DLT) and Ellen van Dijk (TFS) in a three-rider breakaway.

After the team had put themselves in pole position for much of the race, the final defining moment of the race was missing, where a 10-rider group went clear entering the final cobblestone section. The three podium place-getters then powered ahead through the sector. On exiting the sector, van Dijk attacked her counterparts when the race was at its hardest, but Blaak and Bastianelli were able to claw back to make it a three-rider sprint to the line.

“It was all that was expected with the conditions: sun, cold, rain, wind, hail. It was a hard day out. I think it was a mixed day for our team,” said Tiffany after the finish.

“We had good representation at the front for the majority of the race, especially Alexis and Alice, also Lisa. But in the end when we really needed to be there, we missed the last move and were caught out in the last crosswind section. After that we were scrambling to try to make something but it didn’t happen.”

“It went from a great race, to one that was disappointing at the end for us. We will learn from that, and keep in mind that our strength and condition is really good, there’s still plenty of positives so it’s just making that last step,” added Tiffany.  

“I didn’t have the best legs all race, I have to admit. I think Rotem and Ella did well, especially for Ella with her first introduction to Dutch racing, she had quite a good race.”

Alexis Ryan won the Fastest Rider on the timed cobblestone sector.

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