Lisa Klein was third in today’s Danilith Nokere Koerse in Belgium. Lisa was part of a three-rider breakaway that formed with 40km to go. The trio maintained a slim gap and fought off a chasing peloton in the final hour of racing. The race was won by Amy Pieters (SDW) from Grace Brown (BEX) with Lisa rounding off the podium.

“The third time over the 1.6km-long cobblestone section was when the breakaway happened. The first two times on that section I was in bad position and it was only my teammates who saved me each time bringing me into better position. Alice (Barnes) was especially key when the final break happened; she made the move when the peloton split, she covered the attacks and she rode in the wind in the echelon to protect me,” described Lisa.

“Brown had attacked and when I saw Pieters going across on this cobblestone section I made a quick decision to go with her and not save myself for the final. Alice had also just come back from a small breakaway too and I knew she couldn’t have gone again.”

With the peloton chasing hard for 40km the gap narrowed to within ten seconds and the breakaway was deemed to be all but over, until the lead extended again on the narrow roads of the local circuit.

“It was super hard in the break! I committed and I was working a lot, but I have to say that it was Brown who was doing the majority of work especially in the final lap, while Pieters was sort of playing around with a closed mouth. With each passing five kilometres I was getting more tired. I tried my best in the end but I was completely done,” said Lisa.

“I’m happy with my podium. In the race meeting all of my teammates believed in me to be the leader and I’m grateful for the chance.”

ALICE BARNES

“Our team plan was to cover moves until the final small laps and then make our own move. We also focused to save Lisa to keep her fresh for the final. At the end of the last big lap, SD Worx went hard into the dragging cobblestone section. Myself and Lisa were there and made sure we were at the front of what was a small group. Brown attacked and had a small gap and then after a bit Pieters went and Lisa followed. It was on a narrow road section so the gap grew quickly.”

“There wasn’t a consistent chase from other teams so for the rest of us we needed to stay attentive. In the final I was well positioned to also go for the bunch sprint but got squeezed into the barriers and lost all my speed with about 400 metres to go. Overall I was happy with how I was positioned and to be there for the decisive moment. Lisa was quick to react and we’re pleased she got on the podium. She raced really strong and calm today.”

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