Marlen Reusser (Team SD Worx): “I’m especially proud of Niamh Fisher-Black”

May 3 ^rd 2023 - 17:28 [GMT + 2]

In the beginning of the stage, it was pretty slow, but as soon as we hit roads where it was sidewind and crosswinds, echelons started and the whole day was really full-gas echelons riding! A really tough stage, and I think many riders missed out on it. The race was expected to be much easier than it was in the end. There was one strong pull and the first group want away, and the second time was after the intermediate sprint, where it again cracked and there was a second group dropped. Team DSM really tried to keep the speed, and also Marianne (Vos, Team Jumbo-Visma) had still girls in the group, so the pace was still high and I think it wasn’t possible for those dropped to come back.

At Team SD Worx we really did some good team work. We just had one rider who was grabbing a bottle in the wrong moment. It is difficult in the end, everybody has to be there, you cannot save people again and again. I’m especially proud of Niamh Fisher-Black, she’s one of the lightest riders in the peloton and I think she was more integrated than I was. It was really impressive!