DYGERT AND CONSONNI TAKE BITTERSWEET TOP 10 IN PARIS-ROUBAIX

Chloé Dygert and Chiara Consonni finished eighth and tenth respectively in today’s Paris Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift. The CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto duo, along with teammate Zoe Bäckstedt were in the group of contenders in a warm and dusty fifth edition.

As the peloton rolled out from the start town of Denain, the anticipation of the iconic cobblestone sectors ahead created a ferocious speed in the group.

There was a moderate breeze as riders hit the first critical point of the day, the sector 17, chasing a two-rider breakaway. CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto was well-positioned with Chloé and Chiara in the first part of the bunch. The peloton didn’t wait to start the fireworks, with the race splitting into multiple groups already by sector 15 with barely 40 riders at the front. On sector 12 the race lit up again with a move forging ahead and Chloé, who was never far from the front of the action, bridging across to form six leaders.

The front of the race swelled eventually, with Chiara and Zoe rejoining with 37km to go. Emma Norsgaard (LTK) was the first rider to attack solo, but Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s (TVL) move with 25 kilometres to go was decisive. Despite Zoe immediately committing to chase the French rider, she was unable to close the gap alone. ⁠With 5km to go, Chiara and Chloé were in the front group fighting for the remaining podium spots.

Ferrand-Prévot entered the infamous velodrome with a gap of 60 seconds and enjoyed every moment of her solo victory. ⁠Chiara followed a couple of moves in the final kilometres but it was Chloé who entered the velodrome within touching distance of third place. Second place went to escapeé Letizia Borghesi (EFO). ⁠Chloé closed gaps to be in the wheels during the sprint around the velodrome but couldn’t make up any positions from the rear of the group and finished in eighth place. Zoe once again showed her aptitude for the Roubaix cobbles finishing in fifteenth place.

Chloé:

“I struggled with some stomach issues in the last part of the race like at Flanders. It’s not an excuse, it’s just something we need to work out. Before that, I had a good race and we had numbers in the front group. It was a hard final but it’s a race I’d like to come back and race again.”

Chiara:

“Paris Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift is a beautiful race. It’s so hard! I’m disappointed to not be there today sprinting for the win. But I can’t wait for another chance.”

Zoe:

“My brain has already blocked out what happened in part of the race. Thinking about it now just a few minutes after the finish line is hard. I know the first part was hectic.We had four of us in the initial group of about 35-40 riders and we were in a good position. When we lost Nastya, I just went full focus to do my best to help Chloé and Consonni, and I’m proud of that. We didn’t get the result we came here for today, but I know that our team can achieve the victory in this race one day.”

Rosa Klöser

“The race lived up to its expectations. I admit it was quite hard. It is as hard as it looks on the television! We can be proud to have two riders in the top ten so it was good job from my teammates. The race was hectic from the get go. I enjoyed myself more on the cobbles and I suffered on the flat sections. I had an issue on the second or third sector and couldn’t stay in the group. But after that, I found a group and it’s a special feeling to finish in this velodrome. I hope to come back next year and to improve and to help the team more.”