Cycling: With an outstanding performance, Chantal van den Broek-Blaak secured victory at the Strade Bianche Donne. The Dutchwoman was already part of a break that was caught by the favorites. Later she attacked again and won.
Chantal van den Broek-Blaak in the breakaway
In cycling, it is rare for breakaways to be caught and then still be able to win later. Today it was successful at the 7th Strade Bianche Donne. With start and finish in beautiful Siena, 136 kilometers had to be covered. Unlike the previous events, nothing decisive for the race happened at this year's Strade Bianche Donne. Up to 19 kilometers before the finish, a four-man breakaway group was in the lead. The three Dutch women Sabrina Stultiens (Live), Chantal van den Broek Blaak (SD Worx) and ellen van dijk (Trek – Segafredo), as well as the Spaniard Mavi García (Alé BTC Ljubljana) were then caught by the group of top favorites.
Annemiek van Vleuten does not get away
12 kilometers before the finish, the top favorite and two-time defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) launched her big attack. In the last Gravel sector could only Marianne Vos (Jumbo – Visma) hold the rear wheel. In the flat section that followed, the chasing group managed to catch up. 12 professionals made their way towards Siena together before they Chantal van den Broek Blaak (SD Worx) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek – Segafredo) again made a duo out of the dust. While the Italian Champion did most of the work, the Dutchwoman rested in the slipstream. After all, she was already active in a breakaway group and still had three teammates among her pursuers. Walked down the final ramp to Siena's market square Chantal van den Broek Blaak then decisively on the offensive. Third place goes to teammate Anna van der breggen (SD Worx)
Chantal Blaak gets Strade Bianche with palm hair! pic.twitter.com/cD897iTYKY
— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) March 6, 2021