De Brabantse Pijl: Ruth Winder snatches victory on the line to cut short Demi Vollering celebrations

Updated 14/04/2021 at 16:14 GMT

Ruth Winder scored the narrowest of victories after a photo finish judged she crossed the finish line ahead of Demi Vollering by a matter of millimetres. Vollering, who thought she had crossed the line first had already started celebrating but was left disappointed as she was demoted to second place.

How close can you get? - Ruth Winder pips Demi Vollering by narrowest of margins

There was a dramatic finish to the De Brabantse Pijl women’s race as American Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) snatched victory by a matter of millimetres.

Dutchwomen Demi Vollering initially thought she had won and even celebrated as she crossed the finish line alongside her rival.

However, a photo finish showed that it was Winder who was actually victorious by the narrowest of margins following the late sprint.

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Vollering (SD Worx) had to make do with second place while Italian Elisa Balsamo (Valcar Travel & Service) came third.

After passing Balsamo, Vollering was leading going onto the final climb to the line and looked set for victory as the six-rider breakaway entered the final kilometre.

Winder, however, opened her sprint to chase down Vollering but initially thought she hadn't done quite enough.

Highlights: Winder beats out Vollering in tight finish to win Brabantse Pijl

“I’m extremely surprised. I came to this race really wanting to be my best and in the end it played really well for me,” a shocked Winder said after her win.

“In the end, I thought Demi had it. I was sprinting and I threw my bike but she celebrated and I thought she’d won.”