Across Flanders (women)
2:30 PM Waregem – 5:45 PM Waregem
If there were any doubts, they have now been swept aside: Marianne Vos is one of the top favorites for the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. The Dutch outpaced Trek talent Shirin van Anrooij (22) in a sprint-à-deux. In the end, the two rode away from an elite group that included an active Lotte Kopecky, who finished fourth.
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250 professional road victories.
It is the unlikely figure that will be on the victory counter after today Marianne Vos.
On the way to this milestone, she was briefly held up by a neutralization. Just as Puck Pieterse opened the final on the Kanarieberg, news filtered in that an accident had happened on the course.
An elite group with Lotte Kopecky saw its lead over the peloton wiped out and the Côte de Trieu and Hotond disappear from the course.
After half an hour the race could finally be resumed and there would be no more standstill.
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Fireworks after neutralization
Fem van Empel and Pieterse continued on the Ladeuze, and on the cobblestones of the Thorn it was Lidl-Trek’s turn.
That turned out to be the right gear in the end. Longo Borghini, Shirin van Anrooij, Paternoster, Pieterse and Vos opened a gap with the five of them, Kopecky was the only one in the peloton who was able to make the jump.
With Longo Borghini and Van Anrooij, Lidl-Trek had 2 pawns who could and did play the team game.
With 12 kilometers to go, Van Anrooij started, only Vos could join us.
The two of them rode to the finish and Vos showed that she has not forgotten her tricks. She sprinted authoritatively from the front to victory.
For Kopecky, even the podium was not an option, because Paternoster passed her at the end.
Result Across Flanders (women)
Phase by phase
250th for Vos!
Van Anrooij also remains stuck in Vos’ wheel during the sprint. The Dutch sprint authoritatively to her 250th professional victory on the road. Among the pursuers, Paternoster steals the last podium place right under Kopecky.
Rode vod
Kopecky does not want to be taken advantage of and lets the rest do the remaining work, but they refuse.
In the meantime, Van Anrooij remains stuck on Vos’ wheel. Another kilometer to go.
Well Kopecky!
Kopecky must have thought about it and about it. Another 7 seconds for the pursuers.
Under the 3 kilometer rag, Kopecky takes over from Pieterse and closes the last gap with Paternoster and Longo Borghini.
Longo Borghini for 3rd place
She has eaten all the plates and is now going for the last podium spot. Kopecky and Pieterse are released, Paternoster can still connect.
Vos and Van Anrooij will be allowed to make up their own minds. Kopecky and co are already 20 seconds behind.
250th for Vos?
If Vos can complete it successfully, her 250th professional victory on the road will be a fact. Phenomenal figures!
No one is taking over from Kopecky, it seems to be over for the world champion
14 seconds
The Dutch leading duo enjoys a lead of just under a quarter of a minute. The sign for Kopecky to push hard again. On the Nokereberg she catches up on some of the disadvantage.
Pieterse then tries to get the chestnuts out of the fire, but a takeover of Kopecky is not smart enough to keep up the pace. Vos and Van Anrooij drive away.
Van Anrooij a first time
Our words are not cold yet and Van Anrooij goes already. Vos slyly slips into the wheel, Kopecky does it in her well-known style and watches the situation come true.
Duo Lidl-Trek
Furthermore, we have to wait for Lidl-Trek’s tactics. That is the only team with 2 riders in the leading group. Will they play it out in the same way as Benoot and Jorgensen do for the men?
2e this Nokereberg
Another 3 kilometers until the next time Nokereberg. Anyone else trying anything on the last climb of the day?
The chain rotates smoothly at the front. No one seems to be dragging and the peloton sees the leading group getting smaller and smaller.
Kopecky is at the front.
30 seconds
With 20 kilometers to go, the bird seems to be taking flight. The difference between the leading group and the peloton is increasing and is now half a minute.
Van Empel with bad luck
A new front wheel for Fem van Empel takes the Dutch time. She is alone in pursuit of a hunting platoon.
Herlegemstraat
Just like the Nokereberg, the Herlegemstraat also has to be conquered twice. 800 meters of cobbled walls blown.
