Lily Williams showcased her sprinting skills in Belgium, finishing powerfully to capture third place at the Dwars door de Westhoek in Belgium.
The American won the sprint for the final podium place with two riders up the road after she and teammate Alice Wood played starring roles in the 134 km race around Ypres.
“I’m really happy with my sprint,” the 29-year-old said of her sixth top ten of the season. “As soon as it started I felt I would win it, which is a really nice feeling especially to get the podium spot for the team after missing that final move.”
Williams and Wood rode into the race-defining move 85 km to the finish, joining a strong group of 14 that would then be whittled down to ten before winner Kathrin Schweinberger (CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team) and Lauretta Hanson (Lidl – Trek), made a decisive attack.
Behind, the Human Powered Health duo worked well together before a strong final pull from Wood set up her teammate who promptly outsprinted pre-race favorites
Sofie van Rooijen (VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling Team) and Lotta Henttala (EF Education-Cannondale).
“I excel in the sprints when people are fatigued,” Williams explained. “I was willing to back myself, especially since our attacks were not succeeding and were hard efforts.”
The Classics experience of the pair certainly came to fruition in the finale.
“I love racing with Alice, she is one of the most experienced riders in the peloton,” Williams said. “I’m not sure I’ve done a race with her where she has missed the split. She knows where to be and what to do and I am always interested in her feedback and tactics.”
Williams will now shift her full focus to Paris 2024 where she hopes to compete for Team USA in the team pursuit before returning to the road.
“I’ll be really looking forward to coming back with the team in August and finally having a full focus on the road,” she ended.
Dwars door de Westhoek results
1 SCHWEINBERGER Kathrin – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team 3:22:10
2 HANSON Lauretta – Lidl – Trek ”
3 WILLIAMS Lily – Human Powered Health 1:46
4 VAN ROOIJEN Sofie – VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling Team ”
5 HENTTALA Lotta – EF Education-Cannondale ”
6 MOORS Fleur – Lidl – Trek ”
7 BRAUẞE Franziska – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team ”
8 BRAND Lucinda – Lidl – Trek ”
9 RIJNEBEEK Maud – AG Insurance – Soudal Team ”
10 BASTIAENSSEN Fauve – Lotto Dstny Ladies ”
13 WOOD Alice – Human Powered Health 1:59
