Longo Borghini triumphs solo in Waregem
At 2:40 PM, the starting signal was given in Waregem for the 13th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen for women. After the presentation at the Waregem Hippodrome, the riders started their 128 kilometer journey, featuring six cobbled sections and seven climbs.
On the second climb of the day, Berg Ten Houte, the race broke open. Under the powerful attacks of Kopecky (Team SD – Worx Pro Time), with Reusser (Movistar Team) on her wheel, an elite group of 25 riders broke away.
Between the climbs of Knokteberg – Trieu and Hotond, four riders managed to break away: Reusser, Brand (Lidl – Trek), Gerritse (Team SD – Worx Pro Time), and Kraak (FDJ – Suez).
On the Eikenberg, the composition of the lead group changed: only Kraak was able to follow Reusser. Driven by Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), a small elite group launched a counter-attack. World champion Kopecky missed the move, and her team had to pull out all the stops to bridge to Longo Borghini’s group. This happened as they approached the cobbled section of Doorn.
(read more below the photo)
Then Van Dijk (Lidl – Trek), Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), and Longo Borghini broke away. The Italian champion decided to ride alone to catch Reusser and Kraak, eventually breaking away on the Huisepontweg.
On the final climb, the Nokereberg, Pieterse (Fenix – Deceuninck) accelerated. She was supported by Balsamo (Lidl – Trek), Chabbey (FDJ – Suez), Niewiadoma, Kopecky, and Bredewold (Team SD – Worx Pro Time). With six pursuers, Longo Borghini’s lead remained limited. The Italian saw her advantage shrink to 15 seconds.
However, in the last two kilometers, the pace of the chasers slowed. The Italian champion held firm and crossed the finish line alone in Waregem. She was able to raise her arms for the first time on the Verbindingsweg. Kopecky sprinted past Balsamo, securing second place on the podium.
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