Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig gives hilarious post-race interview after finishing third in women’s Tour of Flanders
‘We were going full gas into the Kwaremont and then…BAM’
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig came out as the unexpected star of the women’s Tour of Flanders, thanks to her hilarious post-race interview.
The Dane put in a storming ride to finish third in the spring for the line, but it was her antics off the bike that were the main focus.
While talking through the final of the race with the race organisers, an ecstatic Ludwig gives a colourful and enthusiastic description of the final kilometres.
>>> Peter Sagan: ‘I am not like I was in the Tour of Flanders three years ago’
The Bigla rider was one of the strongest on the day as she made the selection of three that came to the line together.
But it was Marta Bastianelli’s (Virtu Cycling) dominant sprint that decided the race, with Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) finishing second.
Ludwig followed that pair across the line in third and seemed delighted with the result after the stage.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“It was a hard one,” she said in the interview at the finish.
“It was a little bit stop-and-go stop-and-go.
“We were going full gas into the Kwaremont and then BAM let’s put the hammer down.
“We tried and it was fun.
“People were screaming at the side and you just feel that energy.
“You suck it all in and think ‘they’re cheering for me.’
“I just enjoy the energy this race has. So many spectators.”
The 23-year-old has been closing in on victory this season, having finished fifth in Strade Bianche and third in the Trofeo Alfredo Binda last month.
Cycling fans were delighted by the exuberant interview, with the video attracting 2,200 likes on Twitter.
The Tour of Flanders Twitter account said: "Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig gives you insight into the women’s race finale as only she can do.
“Sit back and enjoy…”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
TrainingPeaks acquires virtual cycling platform indieVelo, aims to add ‘credible racing and realistic riding’ to its training offerings
Called TrainingPeaks Virtual it will be offered as part of TrainingPeaks Premium in March 2025, with a beta version available now
By Luke Friend Published
-
'In the summer I’ll also jump into a hot bath for 20 minutes after a ride': A week in training with a WorldTour rider
We caught up with Australian Chris Harper as he prepared for this summer's Vuelta a España
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Elisa Longo Borghini pips Kasia Niewiadoma on the line to win second Tour of Flanders
In-form Italian praises Lidl-Trek team after repeating feat she achieved in 2015
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It's one of the hardest races I've ever done' - Mathieu van der Poel on his historic Tour of Flanders victory
World champion becomes seventh man in history to win the race three times
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel wins record-equalling third Tour of Flanders with 45km attack
Dutchman pulls off audacious long-range coup to claim Monument victory
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Wout van Aert’s Classics dreams go up in smoke, but all is not lost for Visma-Lease a Bike
Attention turns to another promising squad member after their talisman is ruled out of Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Amstel-Gold Race with 'several fractures'
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert 'in a good place' ahead of Tour of Flanders despite Visma-Lease a Bike illness and injury crisis
Loss of Christophe Laporte and Dylan van Baarle 'a big blow' says DS Grischa Niermann as team builds for Monument double header
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Five things to look out for ahead of the Tour of Flanders
Lidl-Trek's impressive form and Mathieu van der Poel's explosive start to the Classics season could make for quite the contest this weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert gears towards career-defining fortnight in new, enlightened mindset
Belgian admits pressure has weighed heavily on his shoulders in the past as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix come around once more
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tour of Flanders, Giro d'Italia, Paris-Roubaix Femmes: Cycling Weekly's races of the year for 2023
Our writers pick their best moments from an enthralling 2023, what do you think?
By Adam Becket Published