Chloé Dygert and Maike van der Duin sprinted to second and third on the final day of Ride London. The pair timed their lead out almost perfectly, only to be overtaken by Charlotte Kool (DSM) in the final metres. After gaining bonus seconds in the intermediate sprints, and second place on the stage, Chloé jumped to second on the general classification to cap off an incredible tour for CANYON//SRAM Racing.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a fast-paced finale around the landmarks of central London. The team led out Chloé for the first intermediate sprint allowing her to pick up three seconds and jump to within 2 seconds of second place on GC and 7 seconds from the overall. In the next intermediate sprint, a three-rider breakaway swept up the bonus seconds. Alex Morrice, British road champion Alice Towers, Soraya Paladin and Sarah Roy positioned the team throughout the early parts of the 92km stage. Coming to the final, Sarah Roy helped position Chloé and Maike in the final 8km. With a late move on the other side of the road, Roy gave space to her teammates, who positioned themselves behind DSM for the sprint in The Mall. Chloé opened the sprint early with Maike on her wheel, and the two threw at the line to take second and third, respectively, behind stage winner Kool.

RIDER REACTIONS

Chloé Dygert: “Our goal was to gain bonus seconds and try to move up in the general classification with either stage win or a stage podium,” said Chloé.

“Getting the bonus seconds in the intermediate went to plan, and the team positioned me well for that. We were a bit disappointed the breakaway went, and we couldn’t go for the next intermediate sprint, but it just meant we went all in for our plan for the final.”

“Roy’s move with about 1km to go was perfect because it strung the peloton out, and it meant that Maike and I were able to concentrate on the wheel of DSM. In the final, I led out, and Maike was to come around me. We crossed the line second and third. We didn’t get the win, but we can’t be disappointed; our goal was to move up on GC, and we did that, and we finished with two riders on the stage podium. Kool has proven she’s one of the best sprinters in the world, so it’s good to see we are so close,” added Chloé.

“We grabbed each other’s hands as we rode to the soigneurs. It was a special moment to recognise what we achieved. It’s nice to pull off a plan. This means even more going into the next races. We have more confidence. We have more belief in each other and in the Sport Director’s plan. When you have more trust in each other, everyone gives a bit more effort into the final and into the leader we’re racing for. When everyone gives 100% to the goal, podiums and winning follow.”

Maike van der Duin: “We can be really happy with how the last stage went for our team. We missed bonus seconds on the second intermediate sprint, but it worked well for the first sprint and for the final. The pace in the final kilometres was high, so Chloe and I were able to find our way in the sprint. We developed a lot as a team even in these three days and now can aim for more. It was my first stage race this season, and after a few weeks of no racing after a short break, it was a good feeling to be back racing.”

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