Successful start to the 2022 season with 5 podiums
As we approach the end of March, we wanted to recap what has been a successful start to the season for the team, whilst also highlighting some bad fortune and luck for some riders.
Our first podium came in the first race with Steffen Radochla leading the team at Vuelta CV Feminas. A 3rd place in the bunch sprint for Austrian Champion, Kathrin Schweinberger, the perfect start to the year for our new recruit.
From Spain to the Netherlands, Katie Archibald having had a break from road cycling over the last few seasons, finished 4th behind World Time Trial Champion in the opening race against the clock at the Bloeizone Fryslân Tour. Promise from Martina Fidanza came on stage two where she finished in the top 10 of the bunch sprint, 9th place to be exact. Fidanza who had heart surgery in December showed the form was coming back as less than 24 hours later, the scratch race world champion finished 2nd on the third and final stage of the Dutch stage race, with Archibald finishing 4th place overall in the general classification.
Images: Daan van Overveld
The spring classics are always a thrilling and exciting part of the season, and one rider who really showed their potential and capabilities early on was Maria Giulia Confalonieri. At 'opening weekend’, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the 28 year old finished in 8th place, which was backed up with a 3rd place at GP Oetingen a couple of weeks later and 8th at Drenthe Acht van Westerveld.
A crash at the Exterioo Classic Brugge - De Panne in the final 15km marred any chance to be up there in the finale but that was all forgotten come Confalonieri’s outstanding result at the prestigious classic, Gent - Wevelgem In Flanders Fields. After a superb ride from Marta Lach during the race where she featured in some dangerous and promising breakaways the former Polish champion was able to help Maria Giulia in the final kilometres looking towards the bunch sprint.
In a fierce and fast sprint to the finish in Wevelgem and with a throw of the bike on the line, Confalonieri took 3rd place.
Images: Arne Mill
Image: Bastien Gason
Marta Lach has also tasted success during the early part of the 2022 season as well, finishing in 2nd place at Trofeo Oro in Euro Montignoso in Italy in a reduced bunch sprint.
Unfortunately it hasn’t all been plain sailing, with riders suffering injuries from crashes in racing or illnesses.
Martina Fidanza suffered a crash at the Danilith Nokere Koerse, the outcome being a fractured vertebrae L3 and L4. Katie Archibald who crashed hard on the final stage of the Bloeizone Fryslân Tour is suffering some injuries and is currently still recovering despite finishing the stage securing 4th place overall. Our Swede, Hanna Nilsson had been experiencing the feeling of exhaustion from just a walk to the supermarket, so after having a series of tests from her doctor, they have shown Hanna has been affected by a virus in the upper stomach and COVID-19 at the same time, forcing her to rest for three weeks. 5 of our 6 riders were involved in the late crash at Brugge - De Panne; whilst Maria Giulia Confalonieri, Franziska Brausse, Lara Vieceli and Kathrin Schweinberger have no injuries, Sandra Alonso suffered a cut to the right knee and required some stitches therefore will take some rest for the next few days to allow it to heal properly. We wish all riders a fast and successful recovery.
Three months in to 2022 has been a successful start to the season though. We look forward to our upcoming races on the calendar, firstly with the Tour of Flanders on the 3rd April.
Recap:
2nd stage 3 Bloeizone Fryslân Tour Martina Fidanza
2nd Trofeo Oro in Euro Montignoso Marta Lach
3rd Gent - Wevelgem In Flanders Fields Maria Giulia Confalonieri
3rd Vuelta CV Feminas Kathrin Schweinberger
3rd GP Oetingen Maria Giulia Confalonieri
4th stage 1 & general classification Katie Archibald
5th Vuelta CV Feminas Sandra Alonso
8th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Maria Giulia Confalonieri