Racing

GC Podium sweep at Trofeo Ponente in Rosa

Squad wins the individual GC, the team GC, final stage, and sprinter’s jersey

March 8, 2024

When Kristen Faulkner crossed the finish line and won the final stage of Trofeo Ponenete in Rosa today, she was celebrating more than just a personal victory.

Kim Cadzow won the general classification, taking her first stage race overall victory in her young career. Kristen Faulkner stood next to her on the GC podium, winner of two stages this week. With Clara Emond taking third place overall, it was a podium sweep for EF Education-Cannondale.

Testament to the squad’s outstanding work throughout the week, our riders also won the team classification and Lotta Henttala won the sprinter’s jersey. In addition to two stage wins, Kristen took the points jersey and the queen of the mountains jersey.

Sport director Carmen Small was proud of the way the riders committed to one another from the beginning.

“The biggest thing I had asked them at the beginning was to be a team, to race as a team, and to really trust each other and always ride together as a unit,” she said. “They did that every single day. For me, the results are really great but the way they did it is what counts. We need to continue to race like this and I think that’s the biggest lesson. They learned a lot from not having race radios. They couldn’t just ask the director. They had to ask themselves and each other which really helped them ride together which was perfect.”

When asked about her GC win, Kim immediately praised her teammates.

“This team is just insane and everybody is just so lovely,” she said. “It’s the best environment to be in. It feels amazing. I don’t think I could have dreamt it. The goal this year was to win just one race in Europe and now to have a GC is just crazy. Winning the team GC just shows what kind of team we are, what kind of teammates we have, that we all work together for one goal and we respect each other.”

Chapeau the riders and staff who displayed phenomenal teamwork this week. We are so proud and so inspired by your efforts. What a way to celebrate International Women’s Day!

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