Lifeplus-Wahoo Spring Classics Roundup

As ‘classics’ season draws to a close and tour season begins, we thought it a great chance to celebrate Lifeplus-Wahoo's highly successful cobbled classics campaign aboard thier Endurance SL R Disc bikes.

While there might not be an official monument on the women’s road racing calendar, there does exist a handful of races that can arguably lay claim to this title. If not now, then maybe in the not-too-distant future. The cobbled classics form the backbone of two months of hectic race action on some of Europe's toughest raod race circuits. Iconic races such as Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and ther Amstel Gold to name just a few. Each event providing the usual cocktail of thrills, spills and no few tears. Into this cauldron stepped a team as yet untested in battle but eager for the opportunity to test themselves against the world's best road racing cyclists.

As recently as last December, the loss of Le Col as a headline sponsor meant it was unclear whether the team would even exist in 2023, let alone take part in races of this calibre. Such was the extent of the situation, every rider on the existing roster was given permission to seek rides with other teams. Thankfully a new sponsor was found, but with the majority of riders having already committed their future to new teams, a mad scramble to assemble a squad ensued. All of which makes Lifeplus-Wahoo's performances in the spring classics all the more remarkable. For the team to have achieved everything they have, with the bare minimum of time to train and race, let alone work as a cohesive unit is nothing short of miraculous. We feel confident enough to say that Lifeplus-Wahoo has already proved to the cycling world that they are ready, willing and capable of going toe to toe with the big hitters.

Discover how they got on in our spring classics roundup.

The team's classics campaign came to a close at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Ellie Wylie crossing the line 40th after a tough day in the saddle. As cycling's oldest monument, La Doyenne, also affectionately referred to as La Doyenne, or 'old lady' to you and me, traditionally signals the end of the spring classics season and the transition into a summer of stage racing. At 142.8km in length, the race is roughly half that of the mens, yet it features the same eight climbs that pose such an imposing challenge to the riders.

Still suffering the lingering effects of her crash in Flèche Wallonne, Margaux Vigié wasn't fit to race, leaving a depleted squad of the two Ella's, Harris and Wylie, Karin Söderqvist, Kate Richardson and Masha Novolodskaya Elle to take the start in Liege. They were faced with a rollercoaster of a route that featured two climbs that had dominated on all the previous editions of the race in the Côte de la Redoute and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. Given the severity of the terrain, it was little surprise when only 30 riders managed to finish within five minutes of race winner Demi Vollering (SD-Worx). Ella Wylie was first past the post for Lifeplus-Wahoo followed by Ella Harris in 49th and Karin was the only other finisher in 85th. Perhaps it wasn't the result the team had been looking for, but given the calibre of opposition, it was perfectly respectable and something to build on as they head into the summer season.

LifePlus-Wahoo employed a simple tactic at Flêche Wallonne - to attack with everything they had. So it was full gas from the start, with their Kiwi contingent and French rider Margaux Vigié to the fore. Their hard work and perseverance paid off, Ella Harris and Ella Wyllie both rewarded with a top 30 finish against the best-in-the-business. Luck wasn't with Margaux, however, a crash whilst in contention on the final ascent of the brutal Mur du Huy ended with a hospital check-up. Thankfully, it was just cuts and bruises.

But, it was Ella Harris who lit the blue touch paper. Seeing an opportunity to attack on the the first ascent of the Huy, Ella went clear with two riderss for company. The plucky trio managed to stay away until the Côte de Chavare, where they were reeled in some 44km from the finish. Movistar then assumed control of the bunch, keeping the pace high to deter any would be attackers. This tactic proved successful, for no further attacks developed until the next ascent of the Huy.

Perhaps we should take a little time to appreciate the challenge this brute posed. At just 1.3km in length, the climb is by no means the longest. But what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in terms of steepness. And, of course, the fact that the riders are faced with this tortuous obstacle at the conclusion of each lap. Starting on Avenue du Condroz, the riders are immediately faced with a right hand bend of 10% gradient. From thereon in it steepens, ramping up to 12%, then 14%, and after a sharp left turn it reaches its steepest gradient of 19% with 400m to the summit.

From hereon out the race developed into an all-out scrap between the world tour heavyweights, each trading punches in their bid for glory. But it was Demi Vollering who triumphed, taking the win by 5 seconds over her nearest competitor. Ella Harris crossed the line just over a minute later with her compatriot a mere 5 seconds behind, rounding off another impressive days racing for the team.

When the cycling gods decide its not your day, all you can do is hope for the best and pray you emerge unscathed. The terrible weather conditions that greeted the riders at the start line was unfortunately the beginnings of a bad day in the saddle. And things didn't improve during the race. A succession of early crashes and punctures ahead of the race-defining moments put paid to any hopes they had of achieving another potential top 20 result. The terrain, weather conditions and crashes all took their toll, leaving only two of the original six starters to complete the race. Fellow Kiwis Ella Harris and Ella Wyllie finished 60th and 83rd respectively. They will be hoping for an improvement in weather and luck at Fléche Wallonne.

Ella Harris proved to be the ace in the pack at a rather soggy Brabantse Pijl. The kiwi braved the terrain and atrocious conditions to notch her best result of the season so far - 14th place. However, it was teammate Maria Novolodskaya (Masha) who set the early race pace, overtaking Nathalie Bex (Duolar-Chevelmeire) on the climb of Rue Francois Dubois before streaking clear. Masha's lead would ultimately only last until the first ascent of the Moskestraat after 65km. Once Masha had been absorbed back into the peloton, the race settled into a pattern of attack and counter-attack, with several riders attempting to get up the road. Though unsuccessful, these constant accelerations saw the main bunch shredded, with riders being dropped with increasing regularity. By the time the race reached the S-Bocht only 25 riders remained. As the rain started to fall on the last lap, the race-winning move developed. Though Ella missed the key attack, she finished within a bunch of pre-race favourites who had also missed the break. This group crossed the line 25 seconds behind race winner Silvia Persico of UAE-Team ADQ.

Margaux Vigié rode perhaps the race of her life to finish 14th in the race dubbed the ‘hell of the north’. This, despite being delayed by a crash on one of the iconic cobbled sectors that make this race so special. Margaux's battling display helped her remain within a group of world tour heavyweights who were in hot pursuit of a group of riders who avoided the untimely crash. Though Margaux's group came agonisingly close to catching this lead group, they had to settle for finishing 12 seconds in arrears of eventual race winner Alison Jackson (EF-Education Tibco-SVB).

April Tacey claimed her maiden UCI top ten, taking 9th in the sprint to round off a superb team performance. Lifeplus-Wahoo signalled their intent from the outset, continually committing riders to any attack that looked like developing. All in the hope that it would be the days decisive breakaway. But despite repeated attempts, nothing quite stuck. Until the local laps, that is, when Babette Van Der Wolf finally made it into a break of six riders who built up a small advantage over the peloton. But with the collective power of SD-Worx pulling at the head of the bunch, the breaks chances always looked remote at best.

Their valiant attempt to stay clear was to ultimately prove in vain. A now rampaging bunch caught the break just 9km short of the line. Now it was the sprinters teams opportunity to seize control. Any teams with a sprinter in their ranks now had full control of the race. By keeping the pace high, they deterred any attacks from the teams that did not have an elite sprinter. So it was little surprise to see the contest end in a bunch sprint. SD-Worx once again showed their dominance, delivering Lorena Wiebes (SD-Worx) to the line after a perfectly-formed leadout.

Even in so short a space of time, Margaux Vigié has already established herself as somewhat of a classics specialist. So, it was no surprise to see the talented Frenchwoman produce another incredible display to finish 21st in one of the toughest races on the calendar. Anyone familiar with the Tour of Flanders will know that the race is defined by its short, sharp, cobbled climbs. And it was one of these that proved to be the turning point for the race. Albeit in a most unusal way. The steep slopes of the Koppenberg seemed to catch out Lotte Kopecky, forcing the Belgian champ to step off the bike. The effects of this rippled down the peloton, causing everyone to step off their bike. The concertina effect caused major splits in the peloton, leaving only a handful of select riders out front to contest the finish. Margaux's battling display saw her come home in a high-calibre group containing none other than the current road race world champion Annemiek Van Vleuten amongst others.

Miss consistant, Margaux Vigié once again took the fight to the World Tour teams, storming to another top-20 finish in Waregem. The race that is considered the warm up for the Tour of Flanders caught fire on the ascent of the Berg Ten Houte. A break of four riders went clear and were joined by Marianne Vos (jumbo-Visma) and Marlen Reusser (SD-Worx). As the break fractured, a reduced peloton of 24 riders (including Margaux) eventually clawed them back inside the final 16 km. The decisive break came on the lower slopes of the Nokere and a now exhausted bunch was unable to react. Leaving Demi Vollering to take the win 1m 39s ahead of a main bunch containing Margaux and a various riders strung in between.

Masha and Kaja found themselves fighting the front group and atrocious conditions in a race that featured two ascents of the iconic Kemmelberg. Both agonisingly missed out on the top-20 result their efforts deserved, finishing 22nd and 34th respectively. The race's decisive moment came 44km from the line, when a rider's wheel got caught in the road surface. The resulting pile-up held up half the peloton, leaving Marlen Reusser(SD-Worx) out front in what quickly became an inadvertent solo attack. The post crash confusion meant that the chase was ineffective. Reusser took full advantage, time trialling to victory with nearly three minutes of an advantage over a reduced bunch containing Kaja and Masha.

Another solid ride from the team resulted in an impressive top 30 finish for both Kaja Rysz and Babette van der Wolf. The opening section of the race was littered with crashes on the narrow flemish roads, forcing numerous riders to abandon. Eventually a group of ten riders went clear, and with only UAE Team ADQ willing to chase, this proved to be the race-defining break. By the time the Kaja and Babette crossed the line in the main bunch they were more than four minutes in arrears.