Deignan: “It definitely wasn’t the plan”

October 2 ^nd 2021 - 18:21

Elizabeth Deignan (Trek-Segafredo): “At the start of the day, our two leaders were Ellen van Dijk and Elisa Longo Borghini and I was meant to be one of the last helpers. I knew positioning would be essential, and they had some problem ahead of the first cobbles. I was in the front and I took that speed onto the cobbles because I really had to sprint to be there. I looked behind me at the end of the cobbles and I had a gap. So I thought as long as I’m up front, they have to chase me. I rode at 75% until I had 1 minute and then I commit 100%. But I wasn’t thinking about victory until the end. We had such a strong team and as long as I was in front, it was an insurance policy. But it definitely wasn’t the plan. In men’s cycling, it’s classed as a Monument. We are getting more and more opportunities, and to be the first winner on such a race definitely has to be up there [among my greatest wins]. It was completely surreal [when I entered the velodrome]. This morning, I was here as a teammate, I never dreamed of winning myself, so to find myself alone after such an effort, it was an incredible moment. I really savoured that final lap. We are part of history now, there’s no going back.”