Riejanne Markus has been successful for the second time in a week. The WM3 Pro Cycling rider won the first stage of the Gracia Orlová. She soloed to victory after 110 kilometers, arriving in Štramberk. Anouska Koster and Moniek Tenniglo completed the WM3 success by finishing second and third. “This is a true team victory”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens.

“We had agreed to race aggressively and to attack.” Jeroen Blijlevens witnessed that his riders took this tactic seriously. Rotem Gafinovitz launched an attack as first and soon after, Riejanne Markus could break away with 3 other riders. After being caught, a group of 19 women got away with 5 WM3 Pro Cycling riders.

 “For a moment, we thought the chasing group would be able to come back. The peloton closed the gap up to 100 meters. We then directed our riders to go full speed which increased the gap”, says Jeroen Blijlevens.

Out of the 19 riders in the front, 4 jumped away: Riejanne Markus, Moniek Tenniglo, Anouska Koster and Christina Perchtold. “The gap for these leaders was at a constant 15 seconds, until the chasing group broke apart.  It was then that we knew that the winner would be amongst these 4. We know the qualities of the Austrian Perchtold and did not want to risk a sprint.”

Riejanne Markus soloed across the finish line. Anouska Koster escaped from the remaining group of 3 and came in 2nd while Moniek Tenniglo completed the full green-black podium. “This success is the result of teamwork and is a team victory. Rotem Gafinovitz and Valentina Scandolara brilliantly countered anyone in the chasing group.”

Tough conditions
According to the WM3 Pro Cycling DS, this victory is one to cherish as the weather conditions had been very tough throughout the day. The temperature did not rise above 3°C.  Anna Plichta needed to leave the race due to hypothermia. The organisation will decide Thursday evening if Friday’s mountain stage will have to be shortened since the snow seems to obstruct the road.