Three stages, three sprints. The first edition of the RideLondon Classique as a stage race was exciting to watch. Liv Racing Xstra was consistent in the top-15 of every stage.
The RideLondon Classique started with a stage over 136 km with start and finish in Maldon. The peloton stayed together for a long time, at 40 kilometres from the finish one rider attacked and animated the finale of the stage. Eventually it came down to a sprint, which was won by Lorena Wiebes. Alison Jackson was the first Liv Racing Xstra rider at position 15.
The second day had more hills, but still the peloton stayed together for a long time. One rider animated the stage, but couldn’t prevent another sprint. Again Wiebes was the fastest. This time Rachele Barbieri just finished outside the top-10 in 13th place.
The centre of London was the décor of the final stage over 85.3 km. Liv Racing Xstra was committed to put down another good result in the stage which would end in a bunch sprint. The team tried to do a good lead-out for Barbieri, who finished 5th. Wiebes won the stage again and also the overall classification. Jackson was the first Liv Racing Xstra rider in the GC in a 12th place with Barbieri right behind her at position 13. Quinty Ton also finished inside the top-20 of the GC and got second in the mountain classification.
“After the first two stages I wasn`t completely satisfied, but I kept my mind on the final stage and tried to make the best of it. The team tried to help me in sprint preparation, but we lost each other in the chaotic final. Jeanne helped me to get to the front of the peloton and in the sprint I had to go my own way. When I launched my sprint it was too early and the other girls came from behind. A win was impossible, because Wiebes was too strong all days. Considered all things I am quite satisfied with my result today. Now I will take some rest and then go on altitude camp in preparation on my next races”, Barbieri told after the race.