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
Team SD Worx – Protime has been defeated. The 21st Women's Tour of Flanders goes to Team Lidl – Trek. In cold and pouring rain, Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl – Trek) prevailed after 163 kilometers starting and finishing in Oudenaarde. In an incredibly tough elimination race, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) from Poland and Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl – Trek) from the Netherlands completed the podium. The previously dominant Team SD Worx – Protime will feel like the biggest loser. Having started with several team leaders, none of them finished on the podium of the Tour of Flanders.
Fall out for Reusser & Deignan
Even the strongest team of the season so far had to admit defeat. Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx – Protime) and Demi Vollering (SD Worx – Protime) were dropped well before the Oude Kruisberg and only managed to fight their way back into the leading group late in the race. Their teammate Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx – Protime) couldn't keep up on the Paterberg. Marlen Reusser (SD Worx – Protime), as well as Elizabeth Deignan (Lidl – Trek), had to abandon the race after a crash. When Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl – Trek) attacked shortly before the Oude Kwaremont, Team SD Worx – Protime had nothing left to offer in response. Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl – Trek) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) fared better. The two managed to rejoin the leading group after the Paterberg, partly because Team Lidl – Trek, with their numerical advantage, recognized their big 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