Lara Gillespie and UAE Team ADQ concluded the Tour de Pologne Women with another podium finish as the Irish champion sprinted to third place on the third and final stage, a 101.3km route from Janowiec to Lublin.
The result also secured Gillespie third place in the final general classification, completing the overall podium alongside Lorena Wiebes and Elisa Balsamo. The trio finished in the same order on the final stage.
UAE Team ADQ controls the race
UAE Team ADQ delivered another strong team performance, controlling the race throughout the day and protecting its leader ahead of the expected bunch sprint.
A two-rider breakaway remained clear for much of the stage before being brought back with only a few kilometres to go, setting up the sprint finish.
In the closing kilometres, Alena Amialiusik and Eleonora Gasparrini executed the team’s lead-out, positioning Gillespie perfectly at the front of the peloton before the final sprint.
The Irish champion responded with another strong finish to claim third place, completing a consistent campaign that included two stage podiums and a place on the overall podium.
Gillespie reflects on consistent team performance
Lara Gillespie said:
“I really enjoyed these days with the team. Of course, we didn’t have the best of luck, getting caught behind a crash in the opening stage sprint and then having to change bikes in the final yesterday. Despite that, we raced as a real team every single day, fighting together for every position. Today I didn’t have my best legs, but that’s part of racing. I’m really grateful to all the girls for their incredible work, the perfect timing in the lead-outs, and the progress we’re continuing to make together as a team.”
To learn more on Team ADQ, listen to Inside UAE Team ADQ with Melissa Moncada on the Mettleset podcast
