\n<\/p>\n
Demi Vollering claimed victory in the women’s race, after outsprinting fellow Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen to win by 18 seconds.<\/p>\n
Van der Breggen, 34, is making her World Tour comeback with SD Worx-Protime after three years away from competitive racing.<\/p>\n
The former world and Olympic champion is Vollering’s ex-team-mate, coach and mentor, and won the Strade Bianche in 2018.<\/p>\n
She attacked into the final gravel sector and was caught by Vollering, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Juliette Labous on the climb.<\/p>\n
The Dutch pair then battled it out during the closing stages of the 136km race before Vollering launched a decisive attack with 500 metres to go.<\/p>\n
The FDJ\u2013Suez rider, 28, becomes the third woman to win the race twice, despite suffering a puncture on the longest gravel sector.<\/p>\n
“It’s fun to race against Anna – it feels like when I started,” said Vollering. “It’s also a reminder for myself how much I have grown over the years.”<\/p>\n
Van der Breggen added: “I had no idea how long I could keep up. I did not expect to finish with Demi, so I’m really happy with how far I am physically.”<\/p>\n
Britain’s Lizzie Deignan, the 2016 winner, was unable to finish after she punctured at the same time as her Lidl-Trek team car was involved in a crash.<\/p>\n
“By the time I got any service I was well and truly out of the race,” said the 36-year-old. “Nonetheless, I enjoyed my training ride in stunning scenery.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n