Italian sprinter Letizia Paternoster blasted to second place today on the first stage of Ford Ride London Classique. The Liv AlUla Jayco rider used her positioning to her advantage to be on Lorena Weibes´s wheel in the punchy uphill sprint finish.
Team leader, Georgia Baker was ruled out of the sprint in the chaotic final so Paternoster took the opportunity to go for the win herself.
The action packed opening stage saw the peloton tackle 159.2kms from Safferon Walden to Colchester. Two breakaway riders tried to get ahead of the bunch but all eyes were on the predicted sprint finish. The race was bought back together in the closing kilometers with the sprint trains setting up their fastest riders for the tough finale.
Letizia Paternoster:
¨I´m really happy about this result. Today we started the race riding for Georgia Baker and I wanted to do my best for her but then in this chaotic final, she lost my wheel so the second chance and possibility for the team was for me. I was in the best position on Lorena´s wheel and it was the perfect final for me with the small climb and the finish I like. I´m happy for the team with this second place and for sure we want more for the next days.¨
Ford RideLondon Stage 1 results:
1. Lorena Weibes
2. Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco)
3. Clara Copponi
Ford RideLondon General Classification:
1. Lorena Weibes
2. Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco) +5
3. Clara Copponi +7
