Once again a convincing performance by WaowDeals Pro Cycling, this time in Gent-Wevelgem. Marianne Vos initiated the sprint in the lead from afar, but had to bow her head for the competition.  Marta Bastianelli won.

The peloton got served with a series of unpaved sectors (plugstreets) and climbs in Gent-Wevelgem, the 5th UCI Women’s WorldTour-race of the season. The riders climbed the Baneberg, Kemmelberg and Monteberg twice.  From the start, it was all hands on deck with a succession of attacks.

After the 2nd climb of the tough Kemmelberg, several WaowDeals Pro Cycling riders rode to the top at the front, including Marianne Vos who slipped away with a strong group. They were joined by other riders shortly before and after the Monteberg, which followed quickly after the Kemmelberg.

When the pace after the Monteberg was slightly declining, Anouska Koster chose to accelerate, but was not able to stay ahead for long.  Rozanne Slik tried to get away shortly after. The pace went up after the forming of echelons, partly at the initiative of WaowDeals Pro Cycling, and also Slik was caught.

WaowDeals Pro Cycling embarked on a nervous final with Anouska Koster, Jeanne Korevaar and Marianne Vos. Several teams tried to avoid a sprint. Jeanne and Anouska performed excellent work in order to get Marianne in the right position for the sprint.

With the finish line arch in sight, Marianne initiated the sprint from afar. Our European road champion, whom seemed strong, stalled in the last 50 metres and finished unfortunately outside the top 10 (12th). Marta Bastianelli outsprinted Jolien D’Hoore and Lisa Klein. Anouska and Jeanne crossed the finish line as 20th and 21st, respectively. 

Potential winner
Sports director Eric van den Boom was realistic post-race. “We were very good in the race as a team.  We raced at the front at all the decisive moments, on the plugstreets and climbs. We knew we had Marianne Vos as a potential winner in the ranks.  If all goes well, you win.  This was not the case.”