Brody Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futurescope), after leading for more than 30km in the Doire d'Or-Flanderen and riding alone for most of it, was finally caught and could have been expected to rejoin the pack.

The French team, known for its style of bringing the race to life, sent Victory Gilman into a two-man group, but that did not last. He was then replaced by Chapman, who sent FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope back to the front.

"We tried to run an aggressive race," Chapman said. 'The girls were in a good position and Victory attacked on the first climb. Then we missed the breakaway, but we tried to react quickly."

"We were able to get a good start," Chapman said.

The 30-year-old, who is in her third season with FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope, quickly turned things around. Chapman moved forward in the pack and worked his way up to the lead group.

"In Canaryberg I got really selective and came back to the front at a good tempo, so I just attacked," Chapman said.

The attack came with 62km to go, and Chapman initially looked back to see if there was anyone behind him. On the descent, Lapierre lowered his ride height and skillfully bunny-hopped over a small depression in the road surface, and it took him no more than a few kilometers to open up a gap of over a minute.

Behind him, Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar), Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segalade), Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope) and Rian Lippert (Team DSM) The fightback continued with bridge attempts. The reduced field neutralized these attacks, but the gap began to narrow.

Still, Georgia Baker (Bike Exchange-Jayco) and Juliette Labouce (Team DSM) caught Chapman on the climb up Ladeuse with 37km to go. But as Trek-Segafredo applied pressure and Chapman's breakaway group struggled to keep pace on the cobbles, the gap closed and they caught up with 25km to go.

Nevertheless, after all the hard work, Chapman did not fall behind. Instead of being swallowed up by the pack, he kept his attention at the front. And when she ran almost straight after Floortje Mackaij caught her, it was none other than Chapman who jumped out. She caught the wheels of the Team DSM riders and quickly rejoined the front with her new friends.

"I ended up spending the whole day in the breakaway group," Chapman said.

Chapman chuckled, and the two dug deep to stave off the attack, holding firm in front until the last 10km.

But a solid attack by Longo Borghini finally pulled the pack back within reach, and soon Chapman's day at the front was over. The team supported Marie Lunette to sprint, but the 22-year-old Lunette finished seventh in a group finish won by Chiara Consonni (Valcar Travel & Service).

Chapman was unable to push Blake to the line this time, ultimately finishing 28th, but it was an impressive display of strength from an athlete whose potential was highlighted at the 2018 Women's Herald Sun Tour in Australia.

No doubt she will be on the front line again soon, and perhaps next time it will end differently.