Consisting of six riders from 4 totally different commerce groups, the British nationwide staff chosen for the Tour of Britain Women was making its mark on the race for the second day in a row. Lizzie Deignan (normally Lidl-Trek) defended her blue mountain classification jersey Friday, and on the Horseshoe Pass, it was time for Anna Henderson (normally Visma-Lease a Bike) to shine.
Henderson was the one one who was capable of observe the assault of Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), finally ending runner-up on the stage and shifting to second total. The result’s much more noteworthy as that is Henderson’s first race again after struggling a collarbone fracture within the Vuelta Femenina in late April.
“I’m actually completely satisfied, bittersweet I feel. I used to be tremendous completely satisfied to go together with Lotte and be on par along with her bodily up the climb. But being that near the win, I’m disenchanted however pleased with my second stage again after breaking my collarbone,” mentioned the 25-year-old.
Deignan took factors on the primary categorized climb, Eyton Hill, in addition to on Horseshoe Pass the place she was third excessive, 15 seconds behind Kopecky and Henderson. The 35-year-old prolonged her lead within the QOM classification to 10 factors over Kopecky and Henderson, and 11 factors to Heidi Franz (Lifeplus-Wahoo).
“We knew there’d be two fairly tough climbs as we speak, and I knew that I might have a very good shot defending the jersey, and I assumed, ‘nicely, I’ve received it now, let’s attempt to hold it’,” Deignan was nonchalant about her effort after the stage.
Halfway by means of their house race, the nationwide staff now occupied second and fifth place within the basic classification on high of holding the QOM jersey – however their huge purpose was a stage win.
“I feel we are able to [do it]. We have a whole lot of power within the staff, and it’s a huge ambition for us as a staff to win a stage,” mentioned Henderson with optimism.
Saturday’s stage 3 with its begin and end in Warrington is the following alternative for that however will in all probability be a tricky nut to crack in opposition to an all-star SD Worx-Protime squad.
“I feel tomorrow must be a dash, and I might anticipate that now that Lotte is comfortably within the lead, that they’ll in all probability go for Wiebes within the dash. I imply, she’s the quickest on the earth, and it is going to be as much as the remainder of us to attempt to upset that plan, I assume,” mentioned Deignan.