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Lizzie Deignan wins the first women’s Paris-Roubaix
By the time the tv cameras turned on, Lizzie Deignan was already gone. She couldn’t wait any longer for her chance at the legendary Paris-Roubaix. Escaping in the first cobbled section, Deignan rode solo for over 80 km to win the first-ever women’s Paris-Roubaix, forever writing her name into the history books.
Photo by Getty Sport
Showing phenomenal handling skills in the slick and muddy conditions, Deignan was able to pick the best lines through the cobbles and quickly built up a lead of more than a minute, eventually growing it to over 2:40. Marianne Vos whittled the lead back with an attack late in the race, but couldn’t get within 1:15, and Deignan rode into the Roubaix velodrome alone, holding her blistered and bloody hands aloft in victory.
I feel very emotional. I don’t know, I am just really proud. Sorry, not the best quote, but I am just so happy. I cannot believe it happened.
Photo by Jojo Harper
Trek-Segafredo had strength in numbers at the inaugural Roubaix. Even with favorite Ellen van Dijk suffering a crash, Elisa Longo Borghini and Audrey Cordon-Ragot shut down any chasers before finishing third and eighth respectively. The three celebrated the team effort together in the velodrome.
Photos by Jojo Harper
“It was a really incredible Paris-Roubaix and I don’t think there is anyone who deserved it more to be on the top step of this podium,” Longo Borghini said. “[Lizzie] made history, we made history…it’s just an amazing feeling. There’s no better person who could be on the top step today.”
Trek-Segafredo had prepared obsessively for the race, with multiple recons giving the performance valuable data to optimize bike setup. The team chose 1x RED eTap AXS drivetrains for the flat course, with Lizzie riding a 50T ring and 10-33 cassette.
Photo by Getty Sport
With the first Hell of the North won, and three riders in the top eight, Trek-Segafredo can be totally satisfied with their raceand will be hotly anticipating the second edition next April. Perhaps television viewers will get to witness the winning attack next time.
Photo by Jojo Harper
Learn more about the women’s Paris-Roubaix in episode 3 of The Run Up, which was filmed in the days leading up to the race.
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