Alice Barnes finished eighth in a small group sprint in today’s Oxyclean Classic Brugge – De Panne in Belgium. The race was won by Grace Brown (BEX) who attacked the leading group of twelve riders with ten kilometres remaining to power away to a solo victory.
“The team did a really good job positioning me into the dangerous section on the circuit and it was a full effort to get into the front group,” explained Alice after the finish.
“I was the sprinter for the day so it’s where I wanted to be, especially being in a smaller group coming to the finish which is usually better for me.”
“When Grace attacked there were four teams with other riders so they were chasing, but it was still a fight for position in that group. In the final kilometre I tried to choose a good wheel but I didn’t position myself well enough and I didn’t really have it in the sprint today,” said Alice.
“It’s disappointing. It was a good experience of being the leader and having the pressure to deliver but it makes it more disappointing at the same time too. I want that next time I can give a better result for the team’s work.”