The riders of Team Jumbo-Visma got off to a good start. They rode at the front of the pack for the first twenty kilometres while withstanding headwind. Veronica Ewers’ escape changed the situation. The American Education First rider took off and created a 3’35 lead. The peloton, containing the Team Jumbo-Visma riders, tried to reel her in and after the first ascent they succeeded.
During the three QOM climbs around Epping, it was up to Henderson to defend her blue jersey. She finished second in the first ascent of Mount End/Tawney Common. She was fastest on the second ascent, taking five points. These points proved enough to secure the blue jersey. There are no more points to be earned in the third stage, which will take place tomorrow in the heart of London.
“Our goal was to secure Anna’s position in the mountains classification. It’s great that it worked out”
Race coach Lieselot Decroix has mixed feelings about today’s race.
“Our goal was to secure Anna’s position in the mountains classification. It’s great that it worked out. Another goal was to position Coryn Labecki for the final as well as possible. Unfortunately, that didn’t go as well as we’d hoped. We need to improve our cooperation. We definitely have some areas to work on. Hopefully, we will be able to put some into practice tomorrow.”