Team DSM double up with Charlotte Kool and win final RideLondon sprint and GC title

Building on success from the opening stage and bouncing back from bad luck yesterday, Team DSM rounded out their three days at RideLondon Classique in phenomenal fashion, controlling the stage and setting up Charlotte Kool who surged to the sprint win and with it secured the GC title.

The traditional finish stage in and around the streets of London saw some fast action with multiple attacks, but the team rallied around each other brilliantly, controlling the moves and ultimately setting things up for a bunch sprint finish. Coming forward en masse, the team held position in the finale before last lead out rider Pfeiffer Georgi took over, guiding finisher Kool to the front expertly. Launching with a powerful kick, the opposition came close but Kool won by a wheel length, with the Dutchwoman sitting up to celebrate a brilliant win as she crossed the line. It’s a result that also secures the GC title for Team DSM with Kool, putting the cherry on the cake of a good three days of racing in the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the finish a delighted Kool said: “I’m really happy. With how we did it again today, with how strong the girls were, it was really impressive. This is really for the team. It was in our benefit that there were a lot of GC riders who wanted to keep it close, and for us the bonus seconds were not a problem for those ahead. The other teams then helped to close it down and it worked out really well for us in the end. I didn’t feel too great this morning after the crash but the team really hyped me up and believed in me today, so I’m really happy to take the stage and the GC home. This is one for the girls and the team.”

Team DSM coach Callum Ferguson added: “After Charlotte crashed yesterday we were all really motivated to wrap up the GC and also go for the stage win. We knew that it was close from behind on GC but if Charlotte won the stage then it was impossible for anyone to beat her on GC with the bonus seconds. All day the girls did a really good job controlling it at the front. When it came to the first intermediate we let some other teams chase and saved legs where possible. With some of the girls a bit under the weather, everyone gave what they could. It was a perfect day for us with what we could do. We deserved to finish it off like this I think, I’m really happy and proud of them all.”