23.08.2023 World-Tour, News, Race news

SORYA SPRINTS TO 4TH, ELISE TAKES QOM JERSEY

The team had a strong start to the Tour of Scandinavia today when three riders finished in the top ten. Soraya Paladin sprinted to 4th place after earlier launching an attack on the penultimate lap. Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka was 8th after a brave solo attack that saw her caught with just 6km to go. Elise Chabbey was aggressive and dynamic as ever, taking the QOM jersey for her efforts. The team also won the team classification for the first stage in Halden.

Soraya says, “The plan was to be aggressive with our style of racing and create options. On the way to the circuit, it was windy, but most of the time, it was a headwind, so we needed to focus on keeping a good position. Roy did a lot of work to keep us safe for the entire stage until we entered the circuit. Then we went on the attack.”

“Elise started on the first climb, and when I saw that we had numbers after the climb and Wiebes was still there, I tried myself. Aga countered my move, which was good timing. On the final climb, we just missed going with Lippert and Ludwig, so we chased to bring them back. When it was all in for the reduced bunch sprint, I tried to find the best position and anticipate the sprint, but Balsamo and Wiebes started early, and the only thing I could do was try to chase. It’s sad to be fourth again and so close to the podium. I did my best, and we know we raced strongly so we try again tomorrow.”

Elise leads the mountain classification by one point. Soraya is the best-placed rider on GC, fourth at +10 seconds, on the same time as Agnieszka, Elise and Ricarda Bauernfeind.