With a 20th place in the result, finishing in the group with favourites, Amalie Lutro has shown herself again in the Brabantse Pijl. The young Norwegian rider of Team Coop – Hitec Products, who turned 21 a month ago, already showed her good form with a 16th place in the Scheldeprijs, one week ago. Now she managed to stay in front of the race, finishing in the group that sprinted for 7th place.
It was a breakaway of six riders, in which most top teams had a rider, that stayed away. Behind them the peloton split in several parts and Amalie was able to stay in the first chasing group, that was around forty riders big, hoping the breakaway would get caught. They stayed away and Amalie sprinted to the 14th place of her group. “I think my result of today was the best I could for now.”
For Amalie it was her debut in the Brabantse Pijl and she found a race that she liked. “The race today was a lot of fun”, she says. “I do like climbing, so I was both really excited and nervous about today’s effort. In the end, it was an exciting day. I think I can say this might be one of my favourite races, now I have had the chance to try it.”
Good position
After her good result in the Scheldeprijs, Amalie hoped to do good as well in this Belgium race, even though it had a completely different profile, with a lot of climbs. “My main goal today was to keep a good position in the peloton for as long as I could. One can’t get stronger overnight, so keeping a good spot is the only thing I could affect today. I think I managed quite well most of the time and found a good rhythm”
Doing it together
The final result wasn’t only her result. Amalie: “The other girls also rode so good today! I enjoy riding with them every race. We always try to stay together for as long as possible, to motivate each other and helping in all the ways we can. The hugs and cheers I got from them after today’s race were the best thing about the race.”
Results Brabantse Pijl (UCI 1.1):
20. Amalie Lutro
90. Caroline Andersson
DNF Christa Riffel, Emma Boogaard, Ann Helen Olsen, Ingvild Gaskjenn
Photo: Sportfoto.nl