Gillespie impresses at World Tour Brugge-De Panne as Griffin crashes | Video | Sticky Bottle

*Lara Gillespie, white jersey on left, was in the middle of the fight for victory, though the win went to European road race champion Lorena Wiebes (Photo by Luc Claessen-Getty Images)*

Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) has taken 5th place at the 157km one-day World Tour race Classic Brugge-De Panne after finding herself with a lot of work to do leading up to the sprint before hitting the front perhaps a little early.

The Irish rider, who is taking first class results every time she races this season, went toe-to-toe with some of the best sprinters in the world today and would have scored another podium finish if the final kilometre had gone a little smoother for her.

For compatriot Mia Griffin (Roland) - who told stickybottle recently she had her eye on this race - the day was one of disappointment after she was among the fallers in several crashes during a hectic day's racing in Belgium.

Griffin was one of a large number of riders who hit the deck with about 3km to go, though she was able to remount and ride her way into the finish in De Panne; in 109th at 1:06 and having seen a good chance slip through her fingers.

Up front, victory on the day went to European road race champion Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx-Protime) from Chiara Consonni (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) and former world champion Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek).

The race came down to a bunch sprint after a very strong attack, for much of the final 30km, by 18-year-old British rider Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) was finally closed down with just a couple of kilometres to go.

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Gillespie was well supported by her team through the race and deep into the final, though then drifted back a little - to about 15th wheel - by the time the riders rounded the final bend inside the final 1km.

The Irish rider was forced to make an effort, just before the sprint began, to get back to the front. And though she had the legs to bring herself back into position, she ended up at the very front just before the final kick began.

When Wiebes galloped for the line she initially looked like she would win with ease, until Italian rider Consonni pushed her closer than expected. However, the aerial shot showed while Consonni put in an impressive kick, Wiebes was always in control.