Otley ace Lizzie Armitstead continued her rapid rise through the ranks of European cycling when she finished fifth in the prestigious Omloop Borsele in Holland and went on to win the following day's Circuit Wallonne.
Armitstead, 18, lined up against a strong field which included world champion Marianne Vos for the initial UCI-ranked race but was not overawed by the challenge, despite strong winds making the open course even more difficult.
The race was flat-out from the gun but Armitstead was always towards the front of the 160-strong field. When a break of 32 went after only a few miles, Armitstead was among them, along with fellow Global Racing Team rider Nikki Harris.
On the third of five laps, that breakaway group split when Vos put in a big attack in a bid to lose her rivals. She dropped a large number but eight managed to stay on her wheel, including Armitstead.
The group worked together to extend their lead over the bunch, which by now was six minutes behind. As they headed into the final few miles, Vos led a four-rider group which split off to contest the line and although Armitstead missed that break, she won the charge for fifth place against world-class sprinters like Kirsten Wild.
The Global RT team lined up for the hilly Circuit Wallonne in Fleurus, southern Holland, 24 hours later and Armitstead had lost none of her form from the previous day.
She was among a seven-rider break and, despite an uphill finish, Armitstead powered away from her rivals to clinch her first European victory in style.
Armitstead has now returned home to continue her final college exams but will be focusing her efforts on preparation for the National and European Championships in June and July.
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