Lepistö Adds Another National Title in Finland
claimed her fourth straight national road race title earlier today in Finland. The result comes after she successfully defended her time trial title earlier in the week.
The 25 year old went into the race heavily marked as the favourite once again and almost frustratingly said her every move was watched during the race.
“I tried to attack several times but every attack was covered the whole time. I made my move with 1km to go and no one was able to follow then. There were two corners in the last kilometre and I put the hammer down there. I wasn’t actually feeling that great and was hoping I could get away solo earlier but others could follow my attacks.”
Lepistö was very happy and relieved to represent Finland proudly once again. “It’s always an honour and even though I’ve had the jersey for a long time now I don’t take it for granted. It’s really special.”
The road race title is the second one for Bigla Pro Cycling Team this week. On Friday Joëlle Numainvile triumphed in Canada. Earlier in the week Doris Schweizer won the Suisse time trial. Adding to Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio’s double win in South Africa in February, it bring the team’s total national titles to six.
In the Netherlands, the girls put up a great defence of Iris Slappendel’s title. Annemiek van Vleuten won the bronze medal while Slappendel finished sixth. Both riders were part of a nine-rider winning move in the final. The move came after Vera Koedooder spent all day in a long breakaway.
The national championships concludes on Sunday with the team active in the British, Suisse and German Championships.
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