Chabbey takes Switzerland to the top of Strade Bianche Women Elite

First Swiss winner of Strade Bianche Women Elite Crédit Agricole, Elise Chabbey seized the opportunity to substitute her captain Demi Vollering and succeed to her in the Tuscan classic. Kasia Niewiadoma from Poland and Germany’s Franziska Koch rounded out the podium. It’s been a thrilling finale with eight riders regrouping before the final ascent to Santa Catarina street in Siena. But defending champion Demi Vollering wasn’t part of them due to several hiccups. However, her FDJ-Suez team outnumbered the others and Elise Chabbey was perfectly positioned by Franziska Koch before the last corner whereas former winner Elisa Longo Borghini was first to miss out on another podium finish.

RACE RESULTS

1 – Elise Chabbey (FDJ United – Suez), 133 km in 3h35’42”, average speed 36.996 km/h

2 – Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto) s.t.

3 – Franziska Koch (FDJ United – Suez) s.t.

PRESS CONFERENCE

The winner of the Strade Bianche Women Elite Crédit Agricole, Elise Chabbey, said in the press conference: “It’s amazing to be here as the winner of a race that I have always loved. It’s also unbelievable because the plan was to win with Demi. I had to anticipate, and when we realized she couldn’t come back to us anymore, we decided to change our plan and just try to survive until the finish line. Franziska and I did a great job and in the final I decided to give it everything on pure instinct. I knew that if I came out of the last corner in the lead I would win, and that’s exactly what happened. It will take some time to fully understand what I’ve done”.

Runner-up Katarzyna Niewiadoma said: “I don’t know if I’d say I’m satisfied. Obviously coming second and celebrating a win are very different. The win here is something I’ve been chasing for many years. It’s a little heartbreaking but on the other hand it’s also beautiful to stand on the podium. The race really started on the longest gravelled section Monte di Sante Marie. It was crazy and hectic coming into the sector because everyone wanted to be in the front. There were some crashes. I got stuck behind. It was all about chasing and the race was on from that moment. I love the atmosphere. It was so loud on Le Tolfe! For us women to experience such a vibe is what we train for. It makes the pain go away”.

Third placed Franziska Koch said: “I’m really proud to make the podium of Strade Bianche Women. With the German national champion jersey, it makes it even more special. We all came back together in the last five kilometres. We still tried some attacks but it didn’t work so I decided to go for an easy pace up to the climb but we went full gas to the top. It became a front group of four. I opened up the corner for Elise [Chabbey]. It was perfect for the finale. Elise took the last corner in first position, that’s the way to win. With me third, it’s a very good team performance. I’m very happy with my beginning of the season. Joining a new team gave me a lot of motivation. The podium here confirms it’s a very positive change for me”.