British cyclist Lizzie Deignan took first place in the inaugural women's edition of the Paris–Roubaix on Saturday.
The maiden Paris-Roubaix Femmes was due to be given the green light in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of the 116 km race, but Deignan produced the goods on the notably treacherous cobblestones.
H I S T O R I C
— Velon CC (@VelonCC) October 2, 2021
Lizzie Deignan wins the 1st edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes after an epic solo ride 🤩🥇🔥#ParisRoubaixFemmes | #ParisRoubaix pic.twitter.com/kPszPEkZEg
The Trek–Segafredo rider finished ahead of Dutch runner-up Marianne Vos and Italy's Elisa Longo Borghini before expressing her pride at making "history" for women's cycling.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the race, Deignan said: "I feel so incredibly proud - women's cycling is at a turning point and today is a part of history.
"I'm also proud to be part of a team making history, and even fans watching at home are making history to show there's an appetite for women's cycling - and that these athletes can do one of the hardest races in the world.
"[Winning] was really not the plan - I just needed to be at the front on the first section of cobbles to protect the leaders - today I was third rider. I looked behind after the first cobbles and there was no-one behind me, so I thought they have to chase me so, I just kept going."
The 32-year-old posted a time of 2:56:07 in the inaugural race, crossing the line 01:17 ahead of Vos.
Ben Knapton
