Lidl-Trek has received Paris-Roubaix Femmes twice in its four-year historical past, however Elisa Balsamo got here up quick towards winner Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) within the 2024 version and was in tears after her runner-up end, although she might discover the positives in her outcome afterward.
In an interview with Cyclingnews after the race, Lidl-Trek’s sport director, Jeroen Blijlevens, stated that Balsamo’s disappointment in her outcome exhibits how a lot she cares about performing on the Hell of the North.
“In case you’re so shut, you then’re actually upset. What number of occasions do you get on this scenario in Paris-Roubaix? Subsequent 12 months might be totally different. I am completely happy that she’s upset as a result of when she’s so shut, she needs to be,” Blijlevens informed Cyclingnews within the Roubaix velodrome.
Ellen van Dijk stated that she was with Balsamo within the closing, setting the tempo within the group of six that additionally included Marianne Vos (Staff Visma-Lease a Bike), Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM-Firmenich PostNL), and Amber Kraak (FDJ-SUEZ), main them into the velodrome. Lidl-Trek was the one crew with a couple of rider within the lead group.
“We wished to let Vos do some work, and she or he did that. Kopecky performed it sensible and was the strongest within the dash. We put all our playing cards on the dash; that was what we needed to do as a result of I lacked the acceleration to actually make a distinction,” Van Dijk informed Cyclingnews when reflecting on the ultimate ten kilometres after the final difficult pavé sector.
Within the velodrome, Van Dijk led the group till the dash was launched on the again straight.
“We talked concerning the scenario earlier than the race, after which it’s as much as them the way to do it. Elisa has a variety of expertise. I believe they did a very good job, and Kopecky was simply stronger,” Blijlevens stated.
Earlier within the race, Van Dijk had been essentially the most lively rider, attempting time and time once more to get away from the peloton. She succeeded in forming a breakaway with Kraak, however they have been caught by the favourites simply earlier than the Carrefour de l’Arbre.
“I had the liberty to attempt to go. I used to be proud of that and tried a few occasions. It was laborious for me to get away, however I additionally wanted to maintain attempting. I had good legs, I am proud of my form proper now, and this can be a good race for me. I used to be a bit petrified of a crash forward of this race, I am actually completely happy I am nonetheless in a single piece,” stated Van Dijk.
The robust southerly wind was an essential consider how the race performed out, because the tailwind made it simpler for riders who would in any other case be capable to journey away to comply with their strikes.
“The pace was actually excessive on the sectors, so it was actually laborious to make a distinction. I believe that is why there weren’t so many assaults,” stated Van Dijk.
She made a few makes an attempt to get away from the entrance group of six, however ultimately, the choice was made to have Van Dijk tempo the group and hold the chase group at bay.
“There was this little group behind. We wished to maintain them away, so we knew that in the event that they have been nonetheless far sufficient behind, then we might strive one thing. However as soon as they got here somewhat nearer, then we thought once more, now we go for the dash,” she stated of the altering techniques within the closing.
