After a demanding race featuring sun, rain, cobblestones, gravel, crashes, and punctures, our young Scottish talent Eilidh Shaw delivered a standout performance to claim an impressive third place at the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies in Belgium.
The race started at a high pace and quickly became intense. Several crashes occurred early on, including one involving Febe Jooris, who was unfortunately held up. Bad luck also struck Sofie Van Rooijen, who suffered a puncture on a gravel section and lost contact with the lead group.
In the final part of the race, Eilidh Shaw and Alena Ivanchenko remained in the front group, which included several riders from teams with numerical superiority. Around 20 kilometers from the finish, Ivanchenko lost contact on one of the last gravel sectors, leaving Shaw to represent the team in the decisive moments.
Staying calm and focused, Shaw positioned herself well in the main group and saved her energy for the sprint. She followed the wheel of French rider Clara Copponi (FDJ-Suez), who would eventually finish second behind Susanne Andersen (Uno-X Mobility).
With a smart and powerful sprint, Eilidh Shaw secured an excellent third place – an outstanding result that highlights her talent and promising future.
(ph. @imagetting @antwerp_port_epic)
