In cycling, the domestique eventually has her day

The final stage of Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen turned out to be another good day for the team as Nicole Hanselmann finished third. The 25 year old is the longest serving member of the team and always a loyal supporter of the team leaders.

She was riding in support of General Classification riders, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Joelle Numainville when she slipped into a breakaway just past the halfway point of the 130 kilometre stage.

“Our plan was to have Ashleigh and Joelle there if a break goes after the GPM,” Hanselmann said. “I was there to support them and when Annemiek [van Vleuten] was caught after being in front alone, I was in a counter move with four others. We got a gap with a really nice group with 5 different teams so we worked well together. The gap was always between one and two minutes, it was really close. It was only in the last 5 kilometres that we believed we would stay away. I knew I wasn’t the favourite with strong sprinters there so I attacked a few times but they chased me down. I tried with 2 kilometres to go but eventually finished third and I am really happy.”

Coryn Rivera (UnitedHealthcare) won the stage in front of Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5) with Hanselmann crossing the line behind them. Moolman-Pasio retained her place in the overall with the South African finished sixth.