Letizia Paternoster sprints to fifth place in a dramatic finish on The Mall.
The women’s richest one-day event, held in the center of London on a 3.4km circuit, was a showcase for the sprinters. The fast circuit and numerous sprint points on offer kept the speeds high and the attacks contained and after 20 laps it was one big bunch jostling for position coming into the finish on The Mall.
A horrific high-speed crash in the final 100 meters just as the sprint had started took down a large part of the peloton and changed the outcome. Kirsten Wild (WNT-Rotor), who came across the line first, was eventually disqualified for veering from her line and triggering the mass pile-up.
Trek-Segafredo’s Letizia Paternoster, coming from behind, was forced to start her sprint early, only to fade in the final meters and finish in fifth place.
I can't be really happy with the sprint with 5th place. I kicked from too much behind and I am sorry that I could not finalize my teammate's work on the day. But little time to mull over it - European Champs are waiting for us in seven days, so let's move forward!
View the day in photos below.
Images: Jojo Harper
Abi Van Twisk prepares for the RideLondon race.
Lauretta Hanson shares a laugh with Letizia Paternoster.
