Elise Chabbey claimed her first Women’s World Tour individual podium when she placed second in today’s opening stage of Vuelta a Burgos. The Swiss road champion followed a move on the final climb and went to the line just seconds ahead of a chasing peloton. The stage was won by Grace Brown who initiated the move with Elise just behind in the sprint to the line.
“I’m really happy! I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t win but it will come so I’m really happy. Omer’s (Shapira) pacing on the climb was great. The plan was that I would attack on this small little downhill, before the top of the climb, and it was at the exact moment that Grace attacked so I was ready to go at the moment,” explained Elise after the podium.
“In the breakaway Niamh (Fisher-Black) wasn’t working so I was expecting her to attack but she didn’t. I was controlling myself and making sure I didn’t go too far into the red. When I saw the finish line I was like ‘okay I can do it’. Lars (Teutenberg) told me to start the sprint from behind and go early. Grace went even earlier. I took the wrong side at the start and had to change but still I’m happy with my sprint.”
Elise continued, “The team raced well, even in the earlier part of the race when there was some echelon action. Hannah (Barnes) did a great lead out to the last climb and then Omer paced it well. When we came to that final main climb, we were in four so it gives a lot of confidence because I know that even if my break came back, we had cards to play and Mikayla (Harvey) or Kasia (Niewiadoma) would have gone on the attack. It’s nice to race together at the moment. I really love it. And I’m so happy. My first UCI podium!”