After yesterday’s TTT, the peloton were back in action today in Vårgårda for the road race; faced with a 125 kilometre route that started with a larger loop which included some gravel sections, before nine laps of a closing circuit where a short hill was the focal point.

After some early attacks one lone rider got away, with the team working well together to help control the gap. Eventually the solo leader was brought back on the local circuit going into the last 40 kilometres. As a result the attacks started all over again with Elise Uijen, Francesca Barale and Esmée Peperkamp riding brilliantly to control things, bringing back small groups and setting a steady tempo.

Heading onto the penultimate lap the pace drastically increased and the bunch split on the climb with Pfeiffer Georgi, Floortje Mackaij and Lorena Wiebes making the elite front group of around 20. However, it wasn’t settled at the front and another flurry of attacks occurred before a trio attacked with Georgi jumping on the wheel to cover. Sitting on the back, playing the card of having Wiebes behind, Georgi kept a cool head as the race headed into the final ten kilometres.

The gap held steady at around 15 seconds but heading into the final two kilometres it was clear the leading group would fight it out for the win. Not wanting to wait for a sprint, Georgi launched an attack from the back of the group, hoping to catch the others unaware. Managing to distance Demey; Vos and Cordon-Ragot closed her down and the trio came around the last corner together – setting up a sprint. Giving her all to the line, Georgi crossed the finish in a strong third place while behind Wiebes took the sprint from the bunch – making it a double top five on the day for Team DSM.

*After the race Vos was DSQ’d, meaning Georgi takes second with Wiebes fourth. The following quotes were also taken before this news was announced*

“We came here for a win so we’re a little disappointed but this kind of racing and circuit makes it hard to control for a sprint so wanted to stay sharp on the attacks,” explained Georgi after the finish. “In the last couple of laps there was a selection of around 20 riders and me, Floortje and Lorena were all there. Then it was a matter of covering the moves and it ended up that I got into the one that stuck. I sat on because we had Lorena behind so could play that card a bit. I then tried to attack and get away in the last kilometre because we knew Marianne would be the fastest if it came down to a sprint.”

Team DSM coach Huub Duijn added: “It was an eventful day in Sweden. When we where at the gravel sectors, both Elise and Francesca unfortunately crashed and had to chase hard to come back. We also had a bit of troubles finding each other well, during the gravel sectors. However, on the local circuits the team found each other really well and kept control of the race. With 20 kilometres to go, the bunch split to pieces on the uphill section of the circuit and we had Floortje, Lorena and Pfeiffer in a 20 rider group at the front. From there Pfeiffer got a gap with three others, and they stayed clear to the finish. Pfeiffer attacked in the final kilometre, but she was reeled back in just before the final turn – still it was a nice performance from everyone today and a good podium for Pfeiffer.”