Alex Manly got Liv AlUla Jayco’s hilly classics period off to a big start by sprinting onto the podium at De Brabantse Pijl.
The Australian outkicked a pack full of tough competitors by a clear margin to take third place behind Elisa Longo Borghini and Demi Vollering.
Wednesday’s De Brabantse Pijl was the first of the major hilly classics this spring, which will continue this weekend with the Amstel Gold Race. The early part of the race saw a small breakaway group go up the road, but they would be reeled in when the main action began.
Manly kept her cool in the pack as the race exploded over the final laps. With Longo Borghini and Vollering up the road, the peloton was strung out in an effort to bring them back.
One of those pulling on the front was Liv AlUla Jayco’s Mavi Garcia, who helped close the gap to just a few seconds. In the end, Longo Borghini dropped Vollering to win solo while Manly kept her powder dry in the bunch before striking out shortly before the line to take the podium.
Alex Manly
“This was a great result for the team today. I am really proud of how the girls raced and I was pleasantly surprised with how the race panned out. It was nice to be on the podium and have a good sprint at the end. I am looking forward to the next few races with the girls.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
