Another podium finish for UAE Team ADQ, as Silvia Persico secured third place at De Brabantse Pijl – La Flèche Brabançonne.
After 125.7 kilometres from Lennik to Overijse, victory went to young French rider Célia Gery (FDJ-SUEZ), who outsprinted Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx-Protime), with Persico rounding out the podium.
It was a brave and determined performance from Silvia Persico, who spent a long time chasing solo in an attempt to bridge across to a breakaway group that also included Anna van der Breggen. In the finale, however, the group of favourites came back together, forming a front group of around thirty riders.
UAE Team ADQ was well represented in the lead group with Silvia Persico, Eleonora Gasparrini, Paula Blasi and Karlijn Swinkels, while Alena Ivanchenko remained in a chasing group behind and Dominika Włodarczyk was forced to withdraw from the race due to feeling unwell.
In the final uphill metres, the pace stretched the peloton once again. Persico showed her strength by moving up in the closing moments and securing an excellent third place. Paula Blasi finished ninth.
Silvia Persico said: “It was a very demanding day. I tried to attack and bridge across to the breakaway, but I couldn’t make it. In the final, everything came back together and I played my chances. I know this finish very well – it’s a race I really like and one I’ve won in the past – so I gave everything I had in the sprint.”
(ph. Getty Sport)
