Lotte Kopecky outsprinted Letizia Paternoster (Liv ALUla Jayco) to win stage one of many Tour of Britain Ladies in Llandudno in North Wales.
Paternoster punched the air in celebration, believing she had taken the victory on the seafront forward of the reigning World Champion, however a photograph end later declared Kopecky the winner.
A 9 rider robust breakaway – together with Lizzie Deignan and Anna Henderson of the Nice Britain Biking workforce – shaped on the prime of the day’s closing climb, Ty’n y Llidiart, and shortly constructed up a bonus of greater than two minutes which meant they might contest the end.
Henderson led the break into the ultimate kilometre, however Kopecky opened the dash for the road after Henderson had peeled off. Paternoster was straight onto the World Champion’s again wheel and lunged for the road alongside Kopecky. The Belgian ended up profitable by a matter of millimetres forward of Paternoster.
The present British nationwide champion, Pfeiffer Georgi, took third place behind them. Deignan got here in fourth.
Talking after ultimately being declared the winner, Kopecky stated that she felt it was inconceivable to name between her and Paternoster at first.
“I made a few errors within the dash myself,” Kopecky stated. “However then when it got here to the road it was like okay I can solely do another factor and simply make one of the best soar I can. As soon as we crossed the end line, Letizia raised her fingers however I used to be considering ‘I am unsure I received, however then I’m additionally unsure you received.'”
“We had a extremely good group within the entrance,” Kopecky added. “I used to be additionally blissful to have [Christine] Majerus with me within the first group. However you understand within the final 5 kilometres while you go to the end, for certain when there’s two riders from one other workforce they begin taking part in video games however yeah, it was a pleasant closing for me I believe.”
“It was a pleasant stage really, fairly hilly however by no means flat, additionally with loads of headwind. So it made it fairly gradual at instances due to the wind, however ultimately I’m blissful we might get within the break on the final climb, it was a pleasant race.”
Extra to come back…
