Hannah Barnes 5th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM) sprinted to fifth place at today’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Ninove, Belgium. “I gave it everything so I can’t be too disappointed”

Hannah Barnes 5th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM) sprinted to fifth place at today’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Ninove, Belgium. Hannah was well-positioned throughout the race and took confidence from her first race of the season.

Photo: Getty Images

“The race was a lot of fun. The course offers you a lot so you can afford to gamble a little and look for opportunities so we used that to our advantage and didn’t commit to anyone being the sole leader,” explained Hannah after the race.

A three-rider breakaway skipped away after just five kilometres of racing and maintained a lead for the next 70 kilometres. When the peloton hit the cobbled pitches of the Molenberg climb, fireworks ensued. A group of 32 riders, including Barnes and teammates Kasia Niewiadoma and Elise Chabbey, fought out the final 40 kilometres, with a number of attacks from various riders in the peloton. While Kasia went over the penultimate climb in third position, Hannah was close behind and soon rejoined the leaders.

Eventual winner Anna van der Breggen (SDW) attacked on the final climb and went to the finish line solo, despite the chasing efforts of Kasia who worked to bring Hannah into contention for a reduced bunch sprint.

Hannah said, “I have always struggled to make it over the Muur-Kapelmuur climb in the front group so the top was my first finish line of the day and once we ticked the Bosberg climb off I tried to save as much as I could for the final. I owe Kasia a lot for working in the last 15 kilometres to try bring the leader back. Kasia’s efforts motivated me even more for the finish.”
“I made sure I stayed close to the front, attentive and saved as much energy as possible for the key sections. The sprint was okay. I gave it everything so I can’t be too disappointed. Of course the podium would have been amazing but this result is a big step in the right direction for the team and for myself. Bring on Strade Bianche next week.”

1. Anna van der Breggen Team SD Worx 3:21:00
2. Emma Cecilie Norsgaard Movistar Team Women @ 23
3. Amy Pieters Team SD Worx @ 23
4. Lotte Kopecky Liv Racing @ 23
5. Hannah Barnes CANYON//SRAM Racing @ 23
6. Marta Bastianelli Alé BTC Ljubljana @ 23
7. Lisa Brennauer Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team @ 23
8. Grace Brown Team BikeExchange @ 23
9. Marta Cavalli FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope @ 23
10. Elisa Longo Borghini Trek-Segafredo @ 26

20. Anna Henderson Jumbo-Visma Women Team @ 2:22
32. Elizabeth Banks Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team @ 2:27
44. Abby-Mae Parkinson Lotto Soudal Ladies @ 7:13
66. Amelia Sharpe NXTG Racing @ 7:13
68. Pfeiffer Georgi Team DSM @ 7:13
71. Elizabeth Bennett Drops-Le Col s/b Tempur @ 7:13
103. Leah Dixon Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank @ 7:13
111. Lizzie Deignan Trek-Segafredo @ 7:28

Full Result Here: