Strong showing by Maaike and Britt in time trial

The AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step team continues its strong run in the Bretagne Ladies Tour Ceratizit with a second place in the time trial for Maaike Boogaard. Britt Knaven also rode strongly with a tenth place. Romy Kasper consolidates her place in the top five in the general classification after her fifth place in the opening stage while Maaike enters the top ten.

“I didn’t see this result coming,” Maaike said elated. “It was a hard course with a lot of small hills. I tried to get everything I had in me on that bike. In hindsight it’s now a bit sad I lost time after a mechanical in the final on Wednesday because I would be higher up in the GC. That’s the downside but the upside is that this result is such a surprise to me. I crashed out of Flèche Wallonne with a concussion and had to stay off the bike for a week. I wanted to use this race to get back in the rhythm and I think it worked well. I needed this mental boost. As a team we are so strong here so I am looking forward to the last two stages in Bretagne. I am happy I still have it and losing to Grace Brown is no disgrace.”

Britt Knaven also finished in the top ten of the time trial. The former U23 national champion had a crash on the opening day but mustered all her mental and physical strength to get the most out of her favorite discipline.

“I gave everything I had in these 20 kilometers,” Britt said after the finish. “Considering that crash on Tuesday this is a good result. As always, I just followed my instinct in the time trial like I always do, especially in stage racing and today it went well. I made the most of it and take the points I need to improve with me towards the next time trials.”

Romy Kasper finished just outside of the top ten but is fifth place in the general classification. There are two stages still to come with Saturday being particularly challenging with a tough finish circuit around Saint Jean Brévelay.