Strade Bianche 2018 – women: Heroic solo victory Anna van der Breggen

At 136 kilometres, the women's Strade Bianche takes 31.4 kilometres on mud roads. Mud, yes, as it is rainy and chilly in Tuscany. Anna van der Breggen attacks with Elisa Longo Borghini on the penultimate unpaved sector. The Olympic Champion leaves the title defender alone to solo to victory an impressive victory. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2018 Strade Bianche Donne

1. Anna van der Breggen (nld)
2. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (pol) + 0.49
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (ita) + 0.59
4. Chantal Blaak (nld) + 1.32
5. Lucy Kennedy (usa) s.t.
6. Janneke Ensing (nld) + 1.37
7. Amanda Spratt (aus)
8. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (rsa) + 2.25
9. Ellen van Dijk (nld) + 2.36
10. Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig (den) + 2.50

Race report
Shortly after the start Sara Penton, Mayuko Hagiwara and Katia Ragusa attack to race to a lead of more than 1 minute. Hagiware is dropped at the first gravel sector, while the other two are caught at sector 3.

At sector 5, today’s longest stretch of mud, Alena Amialiusik opens up a gap and Chantal Blaak and Ellen van Dijk bridge across to the lone leader. The trio races to a maximum lead of 50 seconds. The peloton is down to some 30 riders.

After sector 6, with 22 kms remaining, the leaders are brought back. Anna van der Breggen and title defender Elisa Borghini attack on the next mud road. Only seven riders are chasing. Lizzie Deignan has been dropped.

A little more than 17 kilometres before the line Van der Breggen heads out alone. She tackles the last sector 40 seconds ahead of Longo Borghini, who is rejoined bij Kasia Niewiadoma.

Van der Breggen widens the gap and wins the race ahead of Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini.