The Irish rider had another superb performance, ending the Prix Des Communes De Nogent L'Abbesse Et Beine-Nauroy just behind Emmanuelle Merlot (Vienne Futuroscope) and ahead of Stephanie Viel (CSM Puteaux) in the three-woman sprint to the line.
Siobhan Horgan (r)
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2010 Junior world TT and road race champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot (CR Champagne Ardenne) led in a 28-woman chase group one minute 29 seconds later.
The race took place over six 13.5 kilometre laps and saw 100 riders take part. After 30 kilometres of aggressive racing, Horgan got clear with Merlot and together they opened a 45 second lead. They were told that Viel was chasing alone and allowed her to join them before opening up the throttle once again.
Working well together, the trio built a lead of one minute 25 seconds 50 kilometres into the event. This continued to rise to a maximum of two minutes 40 seconds, before dropping to just over a minute at the start of the final lap.
Horgan was feeling very strong but her chances of winning took a knock when she broke a spoke six kilometres from the line. She stopped for a wheel change, lost 30 seconds but managed to chase back on after three kilomeres. However the effort blunted her speed for the final gallop, and enabled Merlot to take the win.
“Overall I was happy, although I feel I was the strongest in the break and perhaps could have won the race had I not to change a wheel,” she said. “So that is a little disappointing. However I am just starting to come into form now, which is what I wanted. The goal is to go well for the later season. “
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Prix Des Communes De Nogent L'Abbesse Et Beine-Nauroy, Nogent L'Abbesse :
1, Emmanuelle Merlot (Vienne Futuroscope) 81.6 kilometres in 2 hours 20 mins 43 secs
2, Siobhan Horgan (The Edge)
3, Stephanie Viel (CSM Puteaux) both same time
4, Pauline Ferrand Prevot (CR Champagne Ardenne) at 1 min 29 secs
5, Christine Majerus (Team GSD Gestion) same time