In addition to finishing just outside the top-10, in 11and place (+13 seconds) at the first stage of the Elsy Jacobs Festival in Luxembourg, Olivia Baril (Valcar – Travel & Service) managed to support her Italian teammates Silvia Persico and Eleonora Camilla Gasparinni, who finished second and sixth in the the day.
Posted yesterday at 3:30 p.m.
“We wanted the race to end in a sprint to put Chiara Consonni and Silvia Persico ahead. The SD Worx team did a great job to avoid a mass sprint at the end. However, we managed to push Silvia into the first group for the final. We couldn’t have had a better race than today (Saturday),” rejoiced Baril, in an interview with Sportcom.
I never think about the personal level when I have the role of teammate. I like this mandate and the pressure that comes with it. I would have liked to end up in the first group with Silvia, it’s a bit disappointing. However, I don’t think she could have done better, even if I had been alongside her in the final sprint.
Olivia Barrel
After taking the 15and rank of the prologue the day before, Simone Boilard (St Michel — Auber93 WE) did it again on Saturday, finishing once again 15thand during the first stage of the event. Boilard finished the day in the same group as Baril.
“It was a pretty tough race. I’m still happy with my performance, I was present in all shots. I was in a good position 300 meters from the finish, but an Italian woman collided with me. I managed to avoid the fall, but it was too late to try to get a top 10 “, explained Boilard.
After his result on Friday, Boilard mentioned that his team’s strategy would be to survive the last two stages. With a second 15and consecutive place, she now admits that she feels the support of all her formation which will push to see her climb in the general classification on Sunday.
“Everyone was dedicated to me. My teammate Barbara Fonseca did a great job helping me get into the key spots. I was able to benefit from the support of the whole team and it is pleasant to have this role”, she added.
For her part, Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) finished in 39and rank (+1 minute 1 second), within a group of 14 cyclists.
Italian Marta Bastianelli (UAE ADQ) won the stage ahead of her compatriot Silvia Persico in the sprint. Third place went to the Dutch Demi Vollering (SD Worx).
Thanks to his second place of the day, Persico climbs to the top of the provisional general classification with only one stage to go. Olivia Baril ensures that all efforts will be put in place to materialize the victory of her teammate on Sunday.
“Silvia is first with the same time as Demi Vollering. Tomorrow (Sunday), it’s going to be a big day, we’re going to have to defend the yellow jersey against teams from the World Tour when we are only a continental team. We are ready for this challenge, Silvia is in great shape, we can’t wait,” concluded Baril.
Simone Boilard occupies the 11and rank overall, while Baril finds himself 14and. For her part, Magdeleine Vallières-Mill jumped 12 steps to 39and square.