In the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Team SD Worx was unable to join the final of the race for the first time this season. The Italian WorldTour classic was completely dominated by the Italian champion Elisa Longo-Borghini, who rode solo to victory after an attack on the climb to Orino of 25 kilometers. She also took over the lead in the WorldTour from Chantal van den Broek – Blaak.
With a 14th place, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio was the best rider of the team, while Elena Cecchini stuck to a 20th place. This was a disappointing result, after six races in the past three weeks were won by six different riders from the team.
Team manager Danny Stam is not satisfied with the results in Cittiglio: “The last few weeks it seemed like it was always easy to win, but you know in top sport you also need to deal with these kinds of races. We were not in the race at all.”
“There are no excuses. The moment when Elisa attacked was not surprising. However, we just couldn’t keep up with the first ones. I think the form of the day was missing. The condition can’t be bad after the good training camps and all those strong races in recent weeks. That’s why we shouldn’t remeber this race too long.”
“Although I do want to give my compliments to the two youngsters. Anna Shackley and Niamh Fisher-Black did a pretty good job for the team.”
For the Scottish Anna Shackley (19) it was the first race in the Team SD Worx colors: “It was my first race after more than six months. I am satisfied how I rode. I also experienced for the first time what it’s like to come back in the first group after a mechanical problem. I gained enough new experiences at this high level.”
For the newly 20-year-old Niamh Fisher-Black, it was the second WorldTour race of the season after she already raced in Strade Bianche two weeks ago. “I was able to do my job for the team and finished the race. But of course this Trofeo for the team didn’t turn out the way we had hoped. You have those days when the result doesn’t come out. This was one of those days,” the New Zealand rider said honestly after the race.
Photo credits: Getty Sport