Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

Credit: CJ Farquharson

 

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Arndt Fights Off Weather and Rivals for Flanders Victory

April 06, 2008

Daunting weather conditions in the Tour of Flanders could not prevent High Road's Judith Arndt
 from outsprinting Kristin Armstrong to seize High Road’s first World Cup win of the
season.

The former World Champion broke away with Armstrong with six kilometres to go before
outsprinting her rival at the finish. Arndt's victory is High Road women’s team’s twentieth win of
2008.

Widely recognised as the toughest one-day Classic on the women’s calendar, Flanders
succession of steep cobbled climbs were rendered even more difficult by freezing temperatures,
as well as incessant rain and hail showers before the race.

Tactically High Road played an aggressive game in the 114 kilometre event, with Arndt tearing
across to a lead group containing three team-mates after attacking with Briton Nicole Cooke on
the dreaded Mur de Grammont climb.

She then went clear with Armstrong (Cervelo-Lifeforce) before outsprinting the American for an
emphatic victory, a good two bike lengths in the final sprint. Kirsten Wild of the AA-Drink Cycling team
finished third in a 14-rider group of chasers with Arndt’s teammate Oenone Wood finishing in fourth.

“It all came down to great team-work.” Arndt, whose previous World Cup win was in Montreal
in 2006, said afterwards. “At first I didn’t go for it, because we had riders ahead.”

“Then when we bridged across, High Road had a numerical advantage, which was what we
wanted.”

“The wet weather made the cobblestones dangerous, but at least it didn’t rain.”

“As a team, we wanted to be aggressive, but we didn’t feel under pressure. It really was a
perfect race by the whole High Road squad."

Team Director Ronny Lauke explained that from the beginning “everything went to plan. Starting with the work Kate Bates did in the early part of the race to help into the technical sections of the race and having Chantal Beltman in the break all day, we were really happy. Linda was great and Luise had an amazing ride bridging across a thirty second gap on the cobbles later.”

“We are very excited about this win and particularly the way the girls raced so well together as a team. I think we’ll have a nice celebration  tonight.”