Superlatives are often overused when describing a race as tough and unpredictable as the Paris-Roubaix Femmes.
But what UAE Team ADQ delivered today was truly something heroic. With injuries and illness affecting the team, only four riders lined up this morning in Denain to take on the 143.1-kilometre challenge to the iconic Roubaix Velodrome – and not all of them were at full fitness following crashes in recent days.
Despite the circumstances, Lara Gillespie, Megan Jastrab, Febe Jooris and Alena Ivanchenko gave everything from start to finish, producing another outstanding performance for UAE Team ADQ, with two riders finishing in the top 10 of a Monument Classic.
The race was won by Franziska Koch (FDJ-SUEZ), who prevailed in the sprint ahead of Marianne Vos and Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The trio had broken clear in the final phase of the race, distancing all other contenders.
A courageous Megan Jastrab led the chase behind the leading trio, riding alongside former world champion Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx – Protime). In the end, the American secured an excellent fifth place after the sprint for the remaining positions on the Roubaix Velodrome.
Despite crashing at a crucial moment, Lara Gillespie fought her way back to the group and contested the sprint, claiming a strong eighth place to add to her palmarès.
Megan Jastrab said: “I’m in disbelief and overjoyed. I came into this race with more doubts than certainties following my injury at the Tour of Flanders; it wasn’t an easy situation, but with the help of my teammates and the team, we set off determined to give it our all. Then, as the kilometres went by, I could feel that my legs were really strong today, so I held on. Then, in the sprint against Kopecky, I knew it would be tough, but I’m really happy with this result.”
(ph. Getty Sport)
