Greig Leach

These leading four women had build up about 15 seconds on the peloton, but were debating whether they should way for three more trying to get on to their wheels. Liane Lippert (DSM) looked back to see just how close the chasers were as Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) took a swig from her waterbottle. They, along with Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma), decided it would be best to wait for three more in hopes of strengthening their chances of staying off the front. Alas, it was the wrong decision. Their delay was enough to give hope to the Trek-Segafredo lead chase from the peloton.