It was a good learning experience for the riders of Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in today’s Boels Rentals Hills Classic, one of the toughest races in the Netherlands. Dani King was the black and orange team’s best finisher in 26th place, with teammate Laura Trott just a few places behind in 33rd, as both World and Olympic champions finished comfortably in the second group on the road.
“We didn’t really have a designated leader, because they’re all on the same level,” explained Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling directeur sportif Simon Cope. “The plan was to get as many riders into the front group, which didn’t happen, but I think what you can take from today was that it was just a learning experience, especially for Laura and Dani.
“None of them has ever ridden that course before and it’s a lot like Flanders, where you need to know the roads,” Cope continued. “You need to know what’s around the next corner.
“It was really a matter of getting some miles in for those track girls,” he added, “and just a big learning experience.”
The race was subject to numerous attacks, with a group of 14 riders eventually getting away in the second half. South African champion Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto-Belisol) won the sprint, ahead of Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans), with 2012 winner, Netherlands champion Annemiek van Vleuten (Rabobank-Liv/Giant), third.
“The bunch sat up a bit after that group went,” Cope explained. “They said it was hard, but they did well to get round in that second group with a few big hitters. Some of those climbs are really vicious”
