Van Alphen wins her first World Cup round in Flamanville

Aniek van Alphen has won a World Cup round for the first time in her career. In Flamanville, she broke away from the rest already in the first lap. Amandine Fouquenet and the returning Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado completed the podium.

France’s Amandine Fouquenet (Arkéa–B&B Hotels Woman) was the first to dive into the field, followed by Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team), the leader of the Women U23 World Cup standings. It was Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing) who pushed the pace higher in the opening lap. Only Bentveld and Fouquenet managed to follow the Dutch rider.

Flamanville was also the setting for the comeback of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix–Deceuninck). The Dutch rider had a strong start and quickly joined forces with Inge van der Heijden (Crelan–Corendon) in the chase behind the three leaders. Van Alphen seemed clearly at ease on the French course and rode away solo in the second lap.

Van Alphen steadily increased her lead to 14 seconds. Behind her, the two chasing duos merged. Despite their numerical advantage, the chasers didn’t get a second closer. With two laps to go, Van Alphen had extended her lead to 21 seconds.

The Dutch rider never let go of that advantage. Van Alphen claimed her very first World Cup victory in Flamanville. In the battle for the remaining podium spots, Fouquenet proved the strongest. Supported by the French crowd, she first countered an attack from Alvarado before also dropping the Dutch rider.