Cape Town - In a repeat of last year, South Africa's Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, once again won La Classique for Morbihan.

The defending champion was part of a group of eight riders that included team-mate, Ann-Sophie Duyck, which ended up being the decisive move of the day.

Duyck was seen putting in a huge effort to ensure the break got an advantage to stay away.

Moolman-Pasio opened the sprint with 300m to go and was quick to credit the entire Cervélo Bigla Pro Cycling Team after crossing the finish line.

"The team was really incredible from kilometre one we just dominated the race and had a very united front and we all rode very well together as a team. Every girl gave everything for the win today in really challenging conditions," said Moolman-Pasio.

"It was already a hard race with some interesting gravel sections, I actually punctured in the second gravel section and Clara (Koppenburg) stopped to give me a wheel and Nicole (Hanselmann) came back to bring me back.

"Then the rain started pouring, and we went the wrong way, and we had to stop and turn around. And then there was lightning and then there was hail. Everything, that could possibly happen happened."

Team manager, Thomas Campana, said after a challenging spring campaign the team stayed committed and has been working toward this moment.

"The victory took quite some time and we had really a hard spring with almost half of the riders sick over months now. Now, we are still not at full strength, but today it was really a victory for the whole team. We needed the victory and that gave the team a major boost for their upcoming races, so it was really a team effort with a brilliant leader, with Ashleigh, winning the race."

Moolman-Pasio said the victory was made even more special after starting the race with bib number one as the defending champion, "That's really a good feeling. It is a really special feeling to have started with number one and to finish with number one."

Racing continues on Saturday in Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan Dames where Moolman-Pasio is again defending champion.