Greig Leach

The theory is that if a sole break away rider looks back over their shoulder it means that they are starting to lose steam. As they look, they are either hoping that someone is coming to join them in the effort, or wondering if they have the legs to hold off the fast closing peloton. Unfortunately, it was the latter for Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquintaine Futuroscope). As she looked behind, she could see the all out efforts of Riejanne Markus (Jumbo-Visma) and the break away killer for the day, Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo). All day whenever a group need to be pulled back for her team leader, it was Van Dijk that would hit the front of the chasing group. As soon as she did, that was the end of the chances of any group of escapees. Earlier she had been called back from a group of escapees just to bring her teammates back into contention. She did.