A successful start for WOS at the Trofeo Marratxi-Felanitx

Jan 26, 2025, 02:23 AM

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Photo credit: Marco Barrais

A successful start for WOS at the Trofeo Marratxi-Felanitx

In their first outing under their new colors, Marie-Morgane Le Deunff, Kiara Lylyk, Fiona Mangan, Aurela Nerlo, Florence Normand and Constance Valentin took part in the Trofeo Marratxi-Felanitx with brillance. The riders, coached by Damien Pommereau, got off to a flying start : Breton Marie-Morgane Le Deunff finished a 12th and picked up 10 UCI points.

"We're proud of Marie-Morgane's and team's work." The new earth and sky jersey of Winspace Orange Seal did not terrify Marie-Morgane Le Deunff and her team-mates. With three new recruits at the start (Marie Morgane Le Deunff, Kiara Lylyk and Fiona Mangan), the cyclists followed the instructions of their sports director, Damien Pommereau, perfectly. "The aim was to race as a team and protect Marie-Morgane for the sprint. The girls started to get their landmarks together and ran at the front. Aurela showed off her jersey by attacking in the last few kilometers", explains Damien Pommereau.

"I am very satisfied of the team's work", Marie-Morgane Le Deunff

A positive day? "Absolutely," says Canadian Florence Normand, who arrived in May 2024. First round of the Challenge de Majorca, the Spanish race was decided by a sprint. A bunch sprint that smiled on former Arkéa-B&B Hôtels rider Marie-Morgane Le Deunff, who finished just outside the top 10 (12th). "It was a successful debut. I'm very satisfied of the team's work", she confides. But with a few regrets. "We got lost with Kiara Lylyk in the last kilometer."

In terms of cohesion, the day went admirably well. "I was positively surprised. I didn't think we'd be racing at the front most of the way". "It was easy to find each other, we rode together," continues Florence Normand. "It's a very good team spirit," says Aurela Nerlo. Constance Valentin agrees: "It's been a good start. We worked well as a team."

"I broke my power records", Aurela Nerlo

As a breakaway was about to be caught by the peloton, Aurela Nerlo decided to attack. "It was a very good moment and a very good move," she commented. "I broke my power records. The peloton caught me about 4 kilometers from the finish. I used the rest of my power to help Marie-Morgane in the last two kilometers." Mallorca Challenge continues tomorrow with the Trofeo Palma Femina.

Irish road champion 2024 Fiona Mangan crashed without serious injury.

Ranking :

Marie-Morgane Le Deunff: 12th

Fiona Mangan: 28th

Kiara Lylyk: 38th

Aurela Nerlo: 44th

Constance Valentin: 67th

Florence Normand: 76th