Lily Williams battled over 40 sectors of gravel to claim fifth place at the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies in Belgium after a grueling 138 km race that certainly lived up to its name.
The Olympic gold medalist raced valiantly throughout the day, eventually sprinting for the final two podium spots in a chasing group behind solo winner Femke Markus (Team SD Worx – Protime).
“I’m really happy with today,” Williams said afterwards. “Especially the signs it gives in final preparation for the Giro. I felt that I could go with almost any of the moves, and I’m happy with my sprint.”
Williams and Kathrin Schweinberger were ever-present in a relentless race that concertinaed throughout the day. After multiple attacks, accelerations and splits over unrelenting terrain, Williams then drove a select group of six clear, 32 kilometers from the line.
“We did a great job riding together at the beginning of the race and took control after our strong ride in Veenendaal, and every race, hopefully, we can do this for longer into the race.”
Eventual winner Markus then gave the lead group the slip 26 kilometers out, with Williams then taking pulls to keep the pace high. Her group then split again inside the last kilometer, with the 31-year-olds’ versatility showing once more as she emptied the tank, narrowly missing out on a podium spot.
Williams, Schweinberger, Carlotta Cipressi, Wiktoria Pikulik, Jente Koops and Maggie Coles-Lyster took on the dust bowl atop the Factor MONZA road bike, with Williams Coles-Lyster on the special edition versions from Belgian artist VEXX. Engineered for high-speed efficiency, the MONZA combines WorldTour-level handling, aerodynamics, and stiffness with exceptional durability.
“The Monza is such a sick bike for these kinds of races,” she explained. “It’s really comfortable and handles great, plus more tire clearance is really necessary. It was great to have another chance to ride with this special design as well after Roubaix.”
The same squad finishes the long weekend of racing at the sprint-friendly GP Mazda Schelkens in Belgium on May 25.
Antwerp Port Epic Ladies results
1 MARKUS Femke – Team SD Worx – Protime
2 LACH Marta – Team SD Worx – Protime
3 GERRITSE Femke – Team SD Worx – Protime
4 BORGHESI Letizia – AG Insurance – Soudal Team
5 WILLIAMS Lily – Human Powered Health
6 BOBNAR Nika – NEXETIS
7 VAN EYNDE Fien – Fenix-Premier Tech
8 RÅNES BYE Camilla – Minimax Cycling Team
9 LUNDMARK Clara – Minimax Cycling Team
10 UNEKEN Lonneke – VolkerWessels Cycling Team
Stage Gallery
Photos: GettySport
