In the run-up to the infamous cobbled section of Mons-en-Pévèle, Team SD Worx took control. Chantal van den Broek-Blaak raised the tempo, Lotte Kopecky added to it. Only Marta Bastianelli and Lucinda Brand were able to respond to the acceleration. “Lucinda didn’t go full speed and our goal was to put the other teams under pressure. I did my turn to keep the lead but also got the signal not to throw my strength too much.”
Kopecky: “The teammates of Longo Borghini did a good job of hiding. We tried to ride full speed, but couldn’t close the gap. That’s a shame, but Elisa was also strong today.”
After which Team SD Worx went full out for second place in the 2nd edition of the Hell of the North for women. “In the end, this was the highest we could achieve,” said Chantal van den Broek-Blaak. “We were dead broke. I had the idea we were in the race well and that everyone was doing their thing. We had it under control, until Longo Borghini went on the attack. Actually, there was nothing wrong, but we couldn’t close the gap. Then you can say she was just the strongest.”