"Your personal goal is to win, so you have somewhat mixed feelings" - Second behind teammate Bredewold not enough for Lorena Wiebes

The tactics from the Dutch at this afternoon's European Championships were all over the place. They finished with first and second, but the sheer amount of quality riders meant disappointment for some, mainly second placed Lorena Wiebes.

“Actually on the penultimate time on VAM-berg, where it broke and I was among the first. Then I thought: this is the ideal situation for us," Wiebes told Wielerflits. However the Netherlands were not content with the chances of a sprint only, Mischa Bredewold attacked and then her teammates marked all counter-attacks. “Especially because it was a surprise to me that she went on the attack. Your personal goal is to win, so you have somewhat mixed feelings. But ultimately the Netherlands has gold, that's why we were at the start. The joy for Mischa will return soon.”

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Mischa was not only a teammate on the day but also on SD Worx. Despite this, the final ascent saw Bredewold solo off the front, and yet another double teammate Demi Vollering doing the chase behind. The home team had such quality that they raced for the individual success of more than one rider at once, even though it sacrificed a possible collective victory. A strategy that could be very risky, but despite the tough gradients, Wiebes outsprinted Lotte Kopecky in the final sprint.

However a second place was a disappointment for the sprinter. “This year it often feels like a close call. Quite often this year I had to sprint for second or third place because a teammate pulled away. I knew that was my choice when I signed with SD Worx," she admits. "I am happy with the steps I have taken this year and know what I can build on for next year.”

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Mischa Bredewold wins women's European Championships as Netherlands dominate the race; Wiebes and Kopecky close podioum

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