Bike throw nets Ruth Winder the victory at Brabantse Pijl Dames

Ruth Winder wins 2021 Brabantse Pijl Dames
Ruth Winder winner of the 2021 Brabantse Pijl Dames (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) secured victory by a whisker following a bike throw to the finish line alongside Demi Vollering (SD Worx) at Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday. The American champion said she was surprised but delighted to have been declared the winner after race officials reviewed a photo finish of the sprint.

“I am extremely surprised," Winder said in a post-race interview. "I came to this race really wanting to be my best, and in the end it played out really well for me. I thought Demi had it! We were sprinting and I threw my bike at the line, but she really celebrated so I thought, 'congratulations'. She’s an amazing bike rider and just for me to be second, I was really excited. For me to win is just…yeah...

Kirsten Frattini
Deputy Editor

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.