Mischa Bredewold secured her second consecutive win at the Classic Lorient Agglomération in Plouay, France, after an intense and tactical race that saw the European champion edge out Chloe Dygert and Liane Lippert in a dramatic sprint finish.
The 160km race, known for its challenging terrain with numerous short and steep climbs, was always going to be a test of endurance and strategy. The course included two laps of the demanding final circuit around Plouay, with the Rostrevel climb (1.5km at 4.5%) looming as the key point where the race would likely be decided.
The early part of the race was marked by heavy rain, which added an extra layer of difficulty for the riders. However, as the weather improved, the peloton began to control the race more assertively. The first significant move came with 44km to go when Amber Kraak from Groupama-FDJ launched a bold solo attack. Kraak quickly built a lead of over two minutes, causing concern among the chasing teams.
Despite attempts by riders like Urška Žigart, Elisa Longo Borghini, and Femke Markus to close the gap, Kraak maintained her advantage deep into the race. But as the peloton entered the final 20km, the pace quickened, and teams like Lidl-Trek and dsm-firmenich PostNL began working together to bring Kraak back. With just 5km remaining, the break was finally neutralised, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
As the race approached its climax, Liane Lippert of Movistar Team made a decisive move on the final climb, attacking with power and determination. Bredewold and Dygert reacted quickly, bridging the gap to form a leading trio. The three riders worked together to distance themselves from the chasing pack, ensuring the victory would be decided among them.
In the final kilometre, Dygert made a bold attempt to take the win with a late surge, managing to gain a small gap on Bredewold and Lippert. However, Bredewold kept her composure, using her experience from last year’s race to time her sprint perfectly. She closed down Dygert in the final 50 metres to claim victory, with Lippert coming in just behind them in third place. Meanwhile, Elisa Balsamo won the reduced bunch sprint for fourth, though the finish was marred by a mass crash that took down several riders.
Photo Credit: GettyRider Reactions
Mischa Bredewold was visibly emotional after her second consecutive victory in Plouay, marking the end of an incredible year in the European champion’s jersey. Reflecting on the race, she said, “We knew Liane was going to attack; I already had that feeling, and when Movistar started pulling, you know for sure. The team told me to focus on her, and I did, but I was really nervous coming to the last climb because I know what kind of attack she can do; she is a super strong rider. I’m really happy that Chloe was with me because I’m not sure if I could have closed it alone. Together, we made a nice duo to close to Liane.”
Bredewold also spoke about her tactical approach in the final kilometre: “In the end, I really had to gamble. The girls behind me told me to keep riding, but I know from last year I also have to do the sprint. So I forced the other girls to be in front, and I got launched perfectly that way.”
This victory held special significance for Bredewold as it was her last race in the European champion’s jersey. Fighting back tears, she expressed, “It’s unbelievable; it really means a lot to me. It’s my last race in this jersey, and it’s been such an incredible year. It’s been so special to wear it. Last year, it was my first big victory here, it was already special for me to have today as the last day in this jersey. My teammate Lorena texted me yesterday that she really wanted me to win, and the team was behind me. I was racing with a lot of emotions today; it means so much, they gave me wings today.”
Chloe Dygert, who put in a strong performance to finish second, also shared her thoughts on the race: “There were definitely mixed emotions from our team being back at the race after the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. We had good weather towards the finish after heavy rain on our way to the start. All in all, it was a pretty okay day!”
Dygert described the critical moment on the final climb where Lippert attacked: “On the climb where Lippert attacked, I got cut off and almost came to a standstill, so getting back up to speed and getting across was a big effort! Luckily, Bredewold was there to help, and we could catch Lippert with about 3km to go. I heard on the radio how close the peloton was getting with 1km to go, and at that point, we were all looking at each other, so I took a chance on a late attack. I’ve never really been a good gambler; I’ll get it one day.”
Dygert concluded with optimism about her form and future goals, saying, “I’m really pleased with my progression from the Paris Olympic Games to now. Everything is coming together nicely, and I’m looking forward to getting stronger for world championships.”
2024 Classic Lorient Agglomération result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Getty
