Video | Why latest sprint reveals Gillespie's growing confidence

Lara Gillespie, far right, rode a very confident final today, though she appeared to be undermined by an issue in the sprint (Photo: Luc Claessen-Getty Images)

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Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) may have just come up short in her quest for another big victory today in Belgium, but the Irish woman's approach to the final was a reflection of her growing confidence and abilities.

Today's Danilith Nokere Koerse (1.Pro) looked perfect for the Irish rider, with its cobbled sectors and repeated small climbs, concluding with a tough drag all the way up to the finish line; a big sprint finish after a wearing down process.

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And while Gillespie stole the headlines today, from an Irish perspective, with her 3rd place, we had three other women in the race. Former Irish road race and TT national champion, Fiona Mangan (Mayenne Monbana My Pie) was 49th, in a group at 2:11.

Reigning road race champion, Mia Griffin (Picnic PostNL), and Aoife O'Brien (DAS-Hutchinson) were among the many non-finishers on a day when the bunch sprinting for victory numbered just 50 riders.

For her part, Gillespie has sometimes waited to open her sprint, and often seen Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx-Protime), in particular, steal a march on her. But the Irish rider was the first sprinter to kick at the end of 133km of action today.

Fleur Moors (Lidl -Trek) did the last turn on the front, apparently leading out team mate Emma Norsgaard Bjerg, who was 9th. Gillespie and eventual winner Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx-Protime) were next behind Moors; Gillespie on the left in against the barriers and Kopecky on the right.

Rather than waiting today, Gillespie stepped up and kicked first, clearly making a major play for victory and executing a race plan to go rather than hesitate as the final charge to the line starts.

Unfortunately, though her initial kick saw her pass Moors on the inside, the Irish woman's effort then seemed to stall, just for a moment.

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She looked spun out - certainly on a gear that was too small for the last section of the sprint - and faded a little, eventually placing 3rd.

Gillespie is still recovering from a recent illness, meaning her ability to fully execute her sprint was absent on the day.

To her credit, former world champion Kopecky won it well. She hit the front with her head down in a strong and decisive effort that brought her a third victory in this race in four years and increases her career win tally to 54.

Gillespie was also passed by double Tour de France stage winner Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) just before the line, meaning she had to settle for 3rd. However, the Irish rider has only had eight race days so far this year and has been on the podium five times, including her win at Beobank Samyn Ladies (1.1) two weeks ago.

It looked like she certainly would have been 2nd today, and may even have beaten Kopecky - which would have been a big scalp - but for her sprint lacking its usual punch.

However, Gillespie's decision to take up the sprint before anyone else is a change for her. It looks like it is the move she needs to repeat, though easier said than done, in a bid to beat her sprint rivals.

Having the legs and confidence to kick first, as she did today, when added to her staying power in the sprint, will likely see her upgrading many her podium finishes to victories, especially against Wiebes, whose initial kick is the best in the sport.

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