Double-header in Italy delivers two in the top five for Lidl-Trek
A day after Milan-San Remo Donne, Lidl-Trek returned to the Italian roads for the 111km Giro dell’Appennino Donne from Novi Ligure to Genova.
An early crash took Margot Vanpachtenbeke out of contention, but fortunately the rest of the Lidl-Trek riders remained safe. After a mostly flat first half to the race, the second half of the course brought steep climbs and technical descents. Brand and Niamh Fisher-Black navigated the demanding parcours well, following the key moves at the head of the race. With relentless attacks on the final climb, Brand fought back after each one, making up ground on the descent where she rode full gas.
Over the final climb she bridged to two clear riders, then the three-rider chasing group — including Niamh — merged with 10km to go, to create a group of six in front. Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) took the sprint to win, with Brand crossing second and Van Dam third. Niamh came home fifth, a strong double result for the team.
(Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
In Lucinda’s words:
“Today was quite tricky, in the beginning especially. We lost Margot early in the race because she was caught in a crash. Most of the rest of the race we stayed safe, I touched the ground a bit but nothing bad. Then there was quite a tough lead-in to the first climb and then a twisty downhill before the next one, which was also quite tough I have to say – steep and lots of attacking, but Niamh and me could keep fighting. Every time they started to attack again I had to drop a little bit but then I could come back again.
“On the top of the last climb there were two leaders a little ahead but I could catch them in the descent so we were three, then behind us there was another three, including Niamh. This was a really good situation for us, of course. It was only 10km to go when these two groups came together. Niamh kept a good pace and I had to do all I could in the sprint. I think it’s a really nice result for the team, and I think it was the best possible. I knew I wasn’t the fastest in the group so ending second I think we can be satisfied with today’s race.”
