After taking the stage one TTT win yesterday, Team Sunweb have dominated the GC at Madrid Challenge, with Ellen van Dijk taking the overall victory, Coryn Rivera coming home 2nd, Leah Kirchmann 4th and Liane Lippert 5th. Their efforts also secure them the team classification win.
Van Dijk said: “Our original goal was to go for the intermediates with Coryn but when the big break went, we had to adjust the plan. We still wanted to have the breakaway back before the final to sprint with Coryn, so the girls tried to chase in the bunch but there wasn’t enough help, so me and Lucinda stayed away in the break until the finish.
“We can be really happy with 1-2 in the GC and the other girls close behind, especially after our TTT win yesterday. It’s been a good weekend with the team with lots of good points to take forward to the worlds. I’m really happy to win a WorldTour race for the team and to finish my time here on a high note.”
Team Sunweb coach Koen de Haan said: “It was a hectic, spectacular race in downtown Madrid and there was a lot more action at the front of the race than expected. Our goal for the race was the GC and when a big group went we had Lucinda and Ellen there to fight in the bonus sprints. We expected the bunch to come back for the sprint but they didn’t, so Ellen took the GC win. We had Coryn in 2nd, Leah 4th and Liane 5th after our TTT win yesterday.
“It’s been some hard racing here in Spain but great results in the end. We’re happy to go home with the GC win and stage victory yesterday and now look forward to fighting for the rainbow jersey.”
