Cycling: Elisa Longo Borghini won the women's Tour of Flanders. The Italian champion won the Ronde in the pouring rain for the second time in her career.
Elisa Longo Borghini & Lidl – Trek defeat SD Worx
The SD Worx – Protime team is defeated. The 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen for women goes to the Lidl – Trek team. The Italian champion was able to hold her own in the cold and pouring rain Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl – Trek) after 163 kilometers with start and finish in Oudenaarde. Complete in an incredibly tough elimination race Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) from Poland and Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl – Trek) from the Netherlands took the podium. The previously dominant team SD Worx – Protime will feel like the big loser. Started with several captains, none of them ended up on the podium of the Tour of Flanders.
Fall out for Reusser & Deignan
Even the strongest team of the season so far has to admit defeat. Lotte Kopeky (SD Worx – Protime) and Demi Vollering (SD Worx – Protime) had already been left behind well ahead of the Oude Kruisberg and only fought their way back into the leading group late on. There teammate could Lorraine Wiebes (SD Worx – Protime) in Paterberg no longer follow. And Marlene Reusser (SD Worx – Protime) had to as well Elizabeth Deignan (Lidl – Trek) left the race after a fall. As Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl - Trek) attacked shortly before the Oude Kwaremont, the SD Worx - Protime team had nothing left to oppose. Were stronger Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl – Trek) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing). The two of them managed to catch up after the Paterberg, also because the Lidl-Trek team in the majority recognized the great opportunity.
ELISA LONGO BORGHINI!!! YESSA!!! What a race!! Exciting until the very end!! LOVED every single second!! Bravo and congrats, Elisa!! #RVVwomen pic.twitter.com/kih02Mqbsd
— Cycling_Eve (@CyclingEve) March 31, 2024