Lotta Lepistö (Cervelo Bigla) claimed her first victory of the 2017 season in the inaugural women's Dwars door Vlaanderen. The Finnish rider out-sprinted Gracie Elvin (Orica-Scott) and Lisa Brennauer (Canyon-SRAM).
The much reduced peloton had to chase back a late attack from Hannah Barnes (Canyon-SRAM), but managed to reel her in with 1km to go before setting up the sprint.
A lead group of 16 riders formed over the top of the dual ascents of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, and the Finnish champion was a late addition to the move.
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"I just started passing riders and saw a gap to the front and put the big gear on and rode across," Lepistö said. "The group was smaller after the Paterberg then we rolled and rolled and then there were several attacks. Lisa [Klein] did an amazing job today. She is incredible. We were very tired, it was a hard race. I think everyone was racing all or nothing. In the end, there were 16 riders and Lisa said 'I will give everything to help you'. She took me to the front in the sprint and I won."
Lepistö announced her ambitions for the Spring Classics earlier in the year, and was pleased to get the early victory. "It's super nice. I was hoping for at least one win in the Spring Classics and now the monkey is off my back. Everybody is just trying to help each other all the time. The riders are just there for each other all the time and we don't hesitate to help each other."
How it happened
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