Having received the Traditional Lorient Agglomération-Ceratizit three years in a row from 2023 to 2025, Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) began the 2026 with the bib #1 and as one of many massive favourites. After a tough race the place she was left with little crew assist within the ultimate, Bredewold nearly took a fourth consecutive victory however was outsprinted by Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) in the long run to complete in second place.
“If we’re sincere, the race didn’t go the way in which we had hoped. We misplaced Lisa van Belle, Femke Gerritse and Nienke Vinke sooner than anticipated, after which Mikayla Harvey crashed out of the race. Alternatively, Elena Cecchini and Mischa Bredewold rode very strongly. At one level, Mischa turned remoted, which meant she needed to do an excessive amount of work on her personal,” mentioned SD Worx-Protime sport director Christian Kos.
Bredewold was seen closing down an assault by Anastasiya Kolesava (Canyon-SRAM) with 25km to go and was additionally among the many riders reacting to a transfer by Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Training-Oatly) with 13.3km to go.
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When Célia Gery (FDJ United-Suez) and Eleonora Gasparrini (UAE Workforce L’Imad) attacked on the Côte de Ty Marrec, lower than 6km from the end, Bredewold was the one who tried to shut the hole as quickly as potential, recognising the hazard of giving these two riders even a small benefit.
Nevertheless, it was solely when Lidl-Trek took over the chase in numbers that the 2 late attackers have been introduced again, and Bredewold then centered on her dash, launching with nearly 500 metres to go.
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“She did her dash the way in which she wished to, though she might have began just a bit too early. Solely Elisa Balsamo was in a position to go her due to a very highly effective dash. Naturally, disappointment is the primary feeling for the time being and we’re annoyed. However Mischa got here very near a fourth consecutive victory and delivered a wonderful efficiency,” Kos completed.
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