World champion Annemiek van Fruten, who finished fifth in Saturday's Strade Bianche, finished her first race of the season without a win.

The Movistar rider, who is in his final season, twice finished first in this race with "the most beautiful finish of the entire calendar," but was off the podium in the final race, which finishes in Piazza del Campo in Siena. She crossed the finish line two minutes after Demi Vollering (SD Works) won the race ahead of her teammate Lotte Kopecky (2nd last year).

"The moment we took the lead, Demi Vollering attacked and we hoped that someone from the team could join us, but unfortunately it didn't work out and we couldn't answer her attack.

"She went at a very good time, but I couldn't go. I found it very difficult, especially when Kopecký and Volaring found each other."

The two SD Walks were able to rely on each other to chase down Kirsten Faulkner (Jayco Alura) on the final climb, but Van Vleuten was not able to get the support she wanted when Volering's attack occurred with just over 17km to go, even though Liane Lippert was also in the group. Despite this, she did not get the support she would have liked.

"I think we need to get to know each other's qualities a little better in the team so that we can take advantage of that in the next race in the final," Van Vleuten said. We're going to evaluate it and put it into action."

Fifth place is the lowest ranking at Strade Bianche since 2017, after losing a chance due to a flat at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

"As for my own level, unfortunately I don't think it was enough to win today," van Vleuten said. On the other hand, I know that I am not that far behind, and I know that the level of women's cycling has improved enormously over the years. The battles are getting tougher and more beautiful."

"The competition is getting tougher and more beautiful.

But of course, she is looking for a little something extra in the next block of races to secure her first win of the season.

"In any case, I'm going to try to get a little bit better in Tenerife and then compete again in Flanders," Van Vleuten said.