A strong team performance from WM3 Pro Cycling in the Crescent Vårgårda in Sweden. Moniek Tenniglo was at the front for most of the race, the team in the peloton showed its eagerness and Marianne just about missed the victory. The new European road champion was only outsprinted by Lotta Lepistö.

The WorldTour-race started early on Sunday morning. The peloton covered 4 short lap of 11 kilometres each through the mostly narrow streets of Vårgårda, including a small climb, Hägrungabacken. WM3 Pro Cycling showed their ambitions from the head-go in this race.

A strong leading group of 11 riders from as many teams was formed in the 3rd lap after 25 kilometres. Moniek Tenniglo had made the jump for WM3 Pro Cycling. The leaders gradually increased their gap to a maximum of 2 minutes 40 seconds. 

Peloton explodes
The middle part of the race (53 kilometres) contained 4 gravel sections with the last one being the toughest. The rainfall did not make it easier either. “We started pulling in the peloton in the 4th section. That was the plan and we stuck to it”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens.

The leading group fell apart and Moniek was no longer at the front, a sign for the WM3-riders in the chase to step up their game. In the final 5 laps – the peloton was back on the 11-kilometre-lap – the peloton exploded and caught up to the 5 remaining leaders.

In the final part, one attack followed the other, but none succeeded, including Kasia’s (Niewiadoma, red.) attempt.  This, however, had some sprinters dropped from the peloton. “Kasia’s work was very beneficial for Marianne (Vos, red.)”, according to Jeroen Blijlevens.

First time in the European champion’s jersey
Lotta Lepisö outsprinted Marianne Vos, sporting her European champion’s jersey for the very first time, in Vårgårda by a small margin.  In the past, Marianne Vos had already won this race twice.