Partly thanks to a very strong team performance, Marianne Vos delivered a double success today in the Lotto Belgium Tour. She won the sprint in a leading group and also obtained the leader’s jersey. In addition, Marianne leads in the points classification.

Lenny Druyts, Kaat Hannes and Trine Schmidt chose to attack early on in the race. They got some space from the peloton until the final of stage 1 came closer. The leading group broke apart which was a sign for 11 riders to escape. WM3 Pro Cycling was very well represented with Jeanne Korevaar, Anouska Koster and Marianne Vos.

With a total of 13 riders – 2 from the original 3 escapees made the connection – the group in the front raced to the finish in Meerbeke. The group did not stay together long as Megan Guarnier and Giorgia Bronzini jumped away, together with Anouska.

Jeanne and Marianne were not at ease in the chasing group. “We could not allow that group some space with our ambitions for the GC”, explained DS Jeroen Blijlevens after the race. “Jeanne started to pull, after which Marianne took over and closed the gap.”

A thinned-out leading group was well on their way to the finish line in Meerbeke. A historic site for cycling enthusiasts as the last couple of kilometres were identical to the former final of the Tour of Flanders. Marianne outsprinted Jolien D’Hoore and Coryn Rivera.

Compliments
Jeroen Blijlevens complimented the strength of the team after the stage. “We have achieved a tremendous accomplishment.  Also Yara Kastelijn, Moniek Tenniglo and Riejanne Markus deserve praise. When the decisive group of 11 riders took off, they stayed attentive and remained with the chasing group”, says Blijlevens. “Hopefully, we can continue this success in the final two stages.”