View the images of the Trek-Segafredo women in Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
If effort was always rewarded with a podium the Trek-Segafredo women would have stood on two of the three steps in Liege-Bastogne-Liege Sunday.
But this is cycling.
Despite Lizzie Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini giving big efforts in a thrilling finish, the team came away with three in the top 13 places but missed out on the WorldTour podium.
Diegnan was the first to attack in pursuit of Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) and was later joined by Longo Borghini and Boels-Dolmans’ Annika Langvad to form a three-rider chase group. The trio was unable to make inroads into van Vleuten’s lead, who deservedly went on to a solo victory, and in the outskirts of Liege, they were caught by 10 riders, which also included teammate Ellen van Dijk.
Between the three Trek-Segafredo teammates, there were no legs left for the finish and remaining podium spots. Deignan and Longo Borghini finished in seventh and ninth places respectively, while van Dijk – who had turned herself inside-out to be in this select front group – finished in 13th. A top team effort again, but in the end, no podium to be had.
Images by Jojo Harper
The spare bikes wait atop the team car.
Tayler Wiles and Jolanda Neff prepare for a cold, wet race.
A hard day on tap.
It's never easy to race in the rain and cold.
Ruth Winder gets ready to face the elements.
There’s no doubt the strongest won today. We tried everything we could and were so close [to the podium] but not close enough. The team rode really well – Elisa had a mechanical and Lizzie gave her bike and Elisa rode Lizzie’s bike all day. They worked well as a team and did everything they were supposed to do, just a tiny bit missing at the end.
- Ina Teutenberg, director
Lizzie Deignan made an impact in only her third race back.
The peloton rides into the feed zone.
Tea was on order.
Not easy grabbing a wet bottle with gloves...
...and Jolanda misses her feed.
Rain from start to finish.
Lizzie has so much confidence, she is so professional and calm, and she really calms down the nerves of the others. It’s great to have her leadership back. She’s amazing to come back into these races and be so competitive. I am sure there’s a lot more to come from her.
- Ina Teutenberg, director
Lizzie is quickly finding back her top form.
She was empty at the finish.
But despite the rain and cold, she was happy to be back.
Altogether a pretty good spring classics, but still quite some room for improvement. We missed out on some wins and podiums that we should have been on, but overall, for a new team and new riders riding together, we were there, were visible, and I think we can build on this and hopefully get stronger.
- Ina Teutenberg, director
Tayler Wiles wipes the grit from her eyes.
Elisa Longo Borghini hugs Lizzie Deignan - their effort made for a thrilling finish.
The training helmets will be ready to go again.
