Lore De Schepper Conquers Chambéry With Solo Triumph in 2024 Grand Prix de Chambéry

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April 14, 2024

In an assertive display, Lore De Schepper from AG Insurance – Soudal U23, commanded the roads of Chambéry to clinch a solo victory at the 21st Grand Prix de Chambéry. The young rider dominated the challenging 112-kilometre course that traversed the streets of Chambéry le Vieux, Landiers-zone, Voglans, Sonnaz, and circled back to Chambéry le Vieux.

From the outset, the race pace was conservative, but it wasn’t long before De Schepper found her moment to break away. “At the start, it was quite slow; we were still a large group. One girl attacked alone for two laps, and then on the first major climb, three people attacked and I went with them,” De Schepper explained. The initial lone front-runner, Maria Yapura Plaza from Grand Est-Komugi, quickly became De Schepper’s target. She caught and decisively overtook Yapura with less than 40 kilometres to the finish, not looking back from there. “I kept riding without seeing the peloton and managed to reach the finish alone without being caught,” she recounted.

De Schepper’s performance was particularly notable for her unexpected solo effort, which she hadn’t initially planned. “I thought a small group might come back to me, I wasn’t expecting a solo raid, but it’s cool,” she smiled, reflecting on her surprising yet successful strategy.

The climactic moments of the race saw De Schepper excel on the penultimate climb, realising that her lead might just hold. “I thought if I survived the second-last climb, I would be capable of staying in front and that’s exactly what I managed to do,” she said. Despite a minor gear issue in the final 400 metres that left her unable to shift to her biggest gear, De Schepper’s lead was enough to keep her ahead of the chasing pack.

Securing her position as a climber, De Schepper commented on her affinity for hilly courses, which suit her riding style more than the flat terrains. “I think I’m more of a climber. I’ve never done really long climbs in a race but smaller climbs suit me well, not exactly like the Classics but something in between. I think on harder races I should perform well and on flatter races, I should probably help the team,” she elaborated, setting her sights on her next challenge at the Gracia Orlova race.

2024 Grand Prix de Chambéry result

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Main photo credit: Thierry Guillot

Tom Pidcock Finally Wins Amstel Gold Race Sprint After Previous Near-Miss

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Mathew Mitchell

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April 14, 2024

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The 58th edition of the Amstel Gold Race saw Tom Pidcock of INEOS Grenadiers outpace his breakaway companions Marc Hirschi and Tiesj Benoot in a gripping finale sprint, securing a redemptive victory. Top favourite Mathieu van der Poel was unable to play a significant role in the race’s outcome.

The renowned Dutch race attracted a stellar lineup, including defending champions like Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, and van der Poel himself. Despite high expectations, van der Poel found himself overshadowed by formidable competitors such as Pidcock, Ben Healy, Benoît Cosnefroy, Mattias Skjelmose, and Matteo Jorgenson.

Following the race’s start in Maastricht, the route wound through northern Sittard before tackling the signature climbs of South Limburg, including the Eyserberg, Keutenberg, Cauberg, Geulhemmerberg, and Bemelerberg. These climbs set the stage for the dramatic twists and turns that define this prestigious 253.6-kilometre race, featuring over thirty climbs.

Early race dynamics were marked by a high-spirited breakaway that eventually included Tosh Van der Sande, Enzo Leijnse, Alexander Hajek, and Zeb Kyffin. An accident involving a police officer during the women’s race led to a slight course alteration, omitting the Bergseweg and rerouting towards the Korenweg, although this did little to deter the breakaway’s progress.

As the race heated up, the early breakaway was caught after the Geulhemmerberg, about 70 kilometres from the finish. The peloton witnessed multiple attacks, but none significant enough to break the elastic. The strategic hills of Keerderberg and Bemelerberg saw more aggressive racing, with Louis Vervaeke of Soudal Quick-Step notably active.

A critical move formed on the Gulperberg, where Vervaeke, Mikkel Honoré of EF Education-EasyPost, and Paul Lapeira of Decathlon AG2R momentarily distanced themselves, though they were closely marked by the peloton. World champion van der Poel tested his legs on this climb but did not fully commit, leaving the race open for further attacks.

As the race approached its final phase, the pace intensified. Alpecin-Deceuninck took charge in the peloton, setting up a showdown on the crucial climbs of Kruisberg and Eyserbosweg. Despite a flurry of attacks, including a notable move by Richard Carapaz, the race remained tightly contested.

A decisive moment came before the Keutenberg, where Benoot and Pidcock bridged to a leading group that included Mollema, Mauri Vansevenant, Madouas, and Hirschi, while van der Poel found himself isolated and unable to respond. This set the stage for the final showdown, where strategic placement and teamwork played crucial roles.

Pidcock, Hirschi, Benoot, and Vansevenant emerged as the strongest in the final kilometres, ultimately detaching on the Geulhemmerberg. The race concluded with a sprint among these four, where Pidcock’s superior speed clinched him the victory. Mollema finished as the top Dutch rider in seventh place, with van der Poel outside the top ten.

Pidcock, reflecting on his victory, acknowledged the tactical nature of the race and the significant efforts of his teammates, particularly Michał Kwiatkowski, who sacrificed his own chances to support Pidcock. The British rider also noted the challenges of racing with recent injuries but was pleased to finally secure a clear-cut victory in the Amstel Gold Race, a race he deeply cherishes.

2024 Amstel Gold Race Men result

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Main photo credit: Cor Vos

Marianne Vos secures victory in dramatic Amstel Gold Race finale

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Mathew Mitchell

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April 14, 2024

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In a day marked by unexpected turns and thrilling finishes, Marianne Vos claimed her second Amstel Gold Race title in a dramatic fashion. The race, which was significantly shortened due to an unfortunate incident involving a police officer behind the peloton, saw Vos snatch victory from Lorena Wiebes, who celebrated much too soon at the finish line.

The Women’s WorldTour peloton faced a challenging course through the Limburg hills, known for their relentless climbs and descents, making the Amstel Gold Race a coveted title among the cycling elite since its re-introduction to the calendar. The race began in Maastricht with notable riders like defending champion Demi Vollering, world champion Lotte Kopecky, and Dutch hopefuls Vos and Shirin van Anrooij at the start.

The competition heated up quickly with numerous riders attempting to break away early in the race. However, it was Anne Knijnenburg who initially managed to create a significant gap, though her lead was short-lived as the peloton regrouped before the climb of the Adsteeg. This prompted Quinty Schoens to launch a solo effort, followed by a joint breakaway with Canadian Clara Emond, but their attempt was cut short due to the race being neutralised to allow emergency services to attend to the incident on the course which forced an hour-long neutralisation after 49km.

After the delay, the race resumed from the finish line in Valkenburg with just three laps remaining, comprising of 55 kilometres around Valkenburg, including the gruelling Cauberg, Geulhemmerberg, and Bemelerberg climbs. Despite the truncated distance, the race was fiercely contested, with recent Brabantse Pijl winner Elisa Longo Borghini making significant moves on the Cauberg to string out the peloton. However, her efforts did not result in a successful breakaway.

In the final stages, an attack by Yara Kastelijn, Ricarda Bauernfeind, and Eva van Agt saw them gaining a minute over the peloton. Despite their cooperation, the main group, driven by strong efforts from teams like EF Education-Cannondale, gradually reeled them in as the race approached its climax on and after the Cauberg.

The race culminated in a dramatic sprint finish, with Vollering setting a blistering pace for Wiebes, who looked set to win. However, a premature celebration by Wiebes allowed Vos to execute a perfect jump in the final stretch, overtaking Wiebes to win by a mere half-wheel. Vos, visibly moved by the day’s events, reflected on the race’s chaotic nature and her sympathy for Wiebes.

Wiebes, devastated by her early celebration mistake, expressed her disappointment but recognised it as a learning experience. Despite the blunder, she remained grateful for her team’s support and looked forward to future races.

The Amstel Gold Race once again proved to be a spectacle of strategy and strength, with Vos’s experience and tactical savvy earning her a memorable victory amidst a day of high drama and intense competition.

2024 Amstel Gold Race Women result

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Live: 2024 Women’s Amstel Gold Race

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Mathew Mitchell

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April 14, 2024

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Demi Vollering AGR 19 (2) — Demi Vollering

The Women’s Amstel Gold Race has a very much on-off history with races taking place almost 20 years ago for a few years before it called things a day. It was revived only a few years ago and gave a new generation of the women’s peloton a chance to attack the Cauberg and secure the win in Valkenburg. There is plenty of climbing, even if there is no blockbuster super-high climb, the rolling terrain is just relentless. It’s all designed to wear down the riders to see who is the freshest on the final ascent of the Cauberg. We’ve not seen a rider go clear solo there for a while but at the summit, a game of cat and mouse takes place to see who will make the race-winning move.

Race Preview can be found here.

Live Coverage

The race starts at 9am but won’t be live until 12pm (Around 40km to go)

Live on Eurosport/Discovery across Europe
Flobikes in USA & Canada
SBS in Australia
L1 will be available freely in Dutch without geo-restrictions

All times in BST

Live Race Updates

Women’s Amstel Gold Race 2024 Race Preview

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Mathew Mitchell

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April 12, 2024

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Women’s Amstel Gold Race History

The Women’s Amstel Gold Race has a fascinating history, divided into two segments. Initially held from 2001 to 2003, with wins by Nicole Cooke, Leontien van Moorsel, and Debby Mansveld, it reached the top tier of the Women’s World Cup in its last year. After disappearing from the calendar, the race made a comeback in 2017, immediately returning to Women’s WorldTour status and has been on the up ever since. The 2023 race introduced an additional 28km and more climbing compared to the previous year, shaking up the field and testing the riders’ endurance and climbing abilities.

Table of Contents

The Cauberg climb is the race’s signature challenge, occurring just a few kilometres before the finish line. It’s a decisive moment that favours strong riders who can either break away from the pack or conserve energy for a sprint finish from a small group. This strategic point often leads to thrilling races, with outcomes varying between solo breaks by strong climbers like Kasia Niewiadoma in 2019 and sprint finishes from riders such as Marianne Vos in 2021.

Demi Vollering’s victory in 2023 was a standout moment, showcasing her exceptional ability to tackle the race’s challenges, including the extra climbing and the tactical battle on the Cauberg. With teams worried about the fast finish of SD Worx rider Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering stole a march against mostly isolated team leaders. She attacked, got a gap and was simply never caught by the finish line.

Previous Winners

2023
Demi Vollering
2022
Marta Cavalli
2021
Marianne Vos

Women’s Amstel Gold Race 2024 Profile

TV Coverage

Sunday 14th April 2024

Live on Eurosport/Discovery across Europe
Flobikes in USA & Canada
SBS in Australia
L1 will be available freely in Dutch without geo-restrictions

12:00-13:35
All times in BST

Twitter:#AGR24 or #AGRwomen

Startlist: FirstCycling

Women’s Amstel Gold Race 2024 Contenders

The big favourites to carry on their 2023 dominance at Amstel Gold Race will be SD Worx’s trio of stars. Demi Vollering won last year’s race on her way to an Ardennes triptych of victories. What we’ve seen so far this classics season is that she might find that tougher to repeat this year. She’s done well but hasn’t won her first 5 races this year but the team should try to pivot to her now we’re in Ardennes week. Lotte Kopecky will still be a threat here and will be in a stronger position to finish things off from a small group sprint than Vollering. That should mean we see them try and play things out in a similar way to last season but as other teams look stronger I don’t think we’ll see history repeat itself. Lotte will be in a huge vein of confidence after getting a Roubaix win too. Lorena Wiebes can’t quite be discounted either by those who saw her climbing the Cauberg in the Simac Ladies Tour last season. She absolutely launched up it on each lap, making sure she was near the front and able to just slide back a little through the group by the top. She’s a longer shot than the other 2 but could win the Amstel Gold Race one day.

Lidl-Trek will be a lot happier with how their 2024 season is going and will be excited by the form of Elisa Longo Borghini. She chalked up her 2nd win in a row at Brabantse Pijl and her 3rd in 5 races recently. She’s often made a move at the top of the Cauberg in recent editions but has been pegged back by rivals before getting swamped in the sprint. Her current form gives her more of a shot of pulling that attack off. There’s talk that the team will be working for Shirin van Anrooij in this one, in which case, a counter-attack from her might seal things. She’s also got a quick finish so if she engineer a move that has Vollering in it rather than Kopecky she will fancy her chances. The team also has Amanda Spratt and Lucinda Brand here who have done well at Amstel Gold Race in the past. Both riders were on the 2018 podium, with Spratt taking 4th place a little bit more recently in 2021 too. I suspect both will be elite support here.

I thought Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio might have gone a little better at Brabantse Pijl than she did. The South African was 21st amongst the sprint in the lead group there but maybe it was a case of staying out of trouble with Amstel Gold Race in mind. She’s finished in the top-10 in 4 of her 6 raced editions here. She’s never finished higher than 7th but should be involved in the contest for the win. Teammate Kim Le Court has been one of the breakthrough stars of the Spring with the Mauritian a regular in and around the top-15 spots. That includes finishing 10th at Paris Roubaix Femmes last week too. She might be in a supporting role here but in her current form has the potential to challenge. A later addition to the startlist is Sarah Gigante. The Aussie wasn’t planning on racing here until the morning of the day before, which should support the idea that she will be in a supporting role here.

One of the last races that Kasia Niewiadoma won was Amstel Gold Race back in 2019 when she was able to get a gap and win solo after the Cauberg. The Pole has come close again since, always finishing in the top-10 since her win and finishing 4th and 5th in the last 2 editions. It feels tough for her to win here with faster finishers able to come around by the line but her form is good after finishing 2nd at Flanders. Soraya Paladin is also quietly good here. She has finished 5th in 3 of the last 4 editions, with her ability to sprint well after a hilly race coming in handy. Teammate Ricarda Bauernfeind also has the potential to do well here but I think her main goals are still upcoming and she will be playing a supporting role.

The 2021 winner Marianne Vos is in some great form this year and will be slightly disappointed she wasn’t able to finish off Paris Roubaix Femmes with a win. She looked very strong in the front group there and had a chance to repeat her wins at Dwars Door Vlaanderen and Omloop het Nieuwsblad. Vos will certainly be a threat again at Amstel Gold Race. She will have some good support from Riejanne Markus, who has finished just outside of the top-10 here in the last couple of years. We’ve also got the return of Anna Henderson after the crash she suffered at Setmana Ciclista Valenciana. It might be early to expect a result but she was 5th on the Cauberg stage of the Simac Ladies Tour last year. There’s also Fem van Empel who hasn’t quite taken the road world by storm like Puck Pieterse did this spring but it feels only a matter of time until she does.

3rd at Paris Roubaix Femmes was a great result for Pfeiffer Georgi. The Brit challenged right to the end and pipped Vos off the podium in the final metres. She was 7th here last season and in this form could improve on that in 2024. Teammate Juliette Labous traditionally flits just outside of the Amstel Gold Race top-10 and so maybe isn’t a race-winning contender but will use it to build into the hillier Ardennes classics. The performance of Eleonora Ciabocco at Brabantse Pijl can’t be ignored either, she took a strong 7th place in that race for her best result of the 2024 season.

Silvia Persico is back after missing her defence at Brabantse Pijl due to a family issue. The Italian sneaked into 9th place here last season and that feels like a likely finishing position again with the bulk of her best results this year being in that sort of range too. Teammate Sofia Bertizzolo often goes well here but her form is so scratchy at the moment. 14th at Classic Brugge-De Panne is her only top-30 result since January.

Mavi Garcia can certainly climb the Cauberg well and often finds herself in the front group at Amstel Gold Race. The weakness will always be the sprint finish and that prevents her from a much higher finish. She was 6th in the 2021 and 2022 editions and that feels like her ceiling. Teammate Alexandra Manly did very well at Brabantse Pijl, taking 3rd spot and her best results since the Aussie Nationals this year. We hadn’t seen her on the podium of a non-nationals race since the Tour Down Under at the start of the 2022 season. In this form, she might be able to hang on to the favourites on the Cauberg and sprint well at the end. I think she might be a chase group that needs some luck to rejoin the very front of the race post-Cauberg though.

FDJ-Suez will have to do their usual tactics at the moment which is to attack. Grace Brown was 6th in last year’s Amstel Gold Race and that would play out as a great result for the team this year without Uttrup Ludwig or Cavalli on the startlist. Amber Kraak is going to be on a high still after finishing 5th at Paris Roubaix Femmes. The Dutch rider will be looking for a repeat and should form a strong attacking pair with Brown here.

I can see how Yara Kastelijn might be able to do well here with a fast ascent of the Cauberg possible for her. We know about her cyclocross background but she has the sort of punch that is perfect for a climb like the Cauberg which is short and sweet. Teammate Christina Schweinberger will be racing the Amstel Gold Race for the first time but has been a consistent threat for a while now. Maybe overshadowed this spring by the race-winning threat of Puck Pieterse, Schweinberger should get a chance to deliver here now.

Ruth Edwards might go well here for Human Powered Health and twice finished in the top 20 before her sabbatical. She’s had good results on her return with 3rd at Trofeo Oro in Euro and 4th in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race as her peaks. Teammate Linda Zanetti is a bit of a long wildcard to do well, largely based on vibes, but the Swiss rider is a race-winning one-day racer below the WWT level and surely eventually a big result will come.

Despite having strong riders, there’s not much in the past results at Amstel Gold Race to indicate a good finish. You might think that Arlenis Sierra would be well suited to a hilly race with a sprint finish but the Cuban only has a best result of 40th in the last couple of years and you have to go back to 2018 now to see her 11th place. Floortje Mackaij seems to consistently finish in that 20-35th bracket which is both up there but not quite results to shout about either. There’s a bit of hope in Olivia Baril who was 22nd in 2022 and is riding much more strongly in 2024.

Simone Boilard is coming back into form again with a 20th place at Brabantse Pijl this week. Comfortable in the main group but just beaten to placings by riders with a faster sprint. She has gone well in the hillier classics after getting the season off to a good start with top-10 results in Mallorca. The Canadian could go well here.

EF Education-Cannondale will probably be looking at Letizia Borghesi with the Italian a regular in the top 20 at recent races. 13th at Paris Roubaix Femmes was backed up with 18th at Brabantse Pijl as she appears to be in some good form at the moment. She should get support from Kristen Faulkner who has twice finished in the top-20 at Amstel Gold Race in the 2 editions The American has raced. She was a DNS at Brabantse Pijl so hopefully is in good condition for this one. There’s also Coryn Labecki who was 9th here as recently as 2022 but she is in more of a road captain role now. There is no Labecki or Faulkner in the end but there’s the return to racing of Veronica Ewers to look forward to. We’ve not seen the American since racing Setmana Ciclista Valenciana and she will be using this race to get the legs going again. I think temper expectations here but she will come good.

Women’s Amstel Gold Race 2024 Outsiders

Coop-Repsol will be hoping that one of India Grangier or Eline van Rooijen can deliver them a result. Grangier continues to finish around 20th in races this season with 24th at Brabantse Pijl this week continuing that trend. The French rider has been consistent which hopefully bodes well for a really strong result soon. Eline van Rooijen is just coming into form herself now with 15th-place finishes at both Ronde de Mouscron and Scheldeprijs.

Liv Jayco-AlUla’s Caroline Andersson will be on to keep an eye on. The Swede is targeting the Ardennes Classics this season and got off to a strong start with 12th at Brabantse Pijl in mid-week. She’s been solid all year so far as well to be fair, with plenty of top-20 positions across a variety of races like Setmana Ciclista Valenciana and Strade Bianche.

Justine Ghekiere might be behind Moolman-Pasio and Le Court here so might be in a supporting role rather than a strong finishing one. The Belgian finished 8th at Brabantse Pijl though this week and will surely get some confidence from taking the best result of her season so far.

Nikola Noskova has shown that she climbing well at the moment with 7th at Trofeo Oro in Euro and then 17th at the WWT level Trofeo Alfredo Binda. The Czech rider has always been good on the steep gradients and might be able to get a strong result after the final ascent of the Cauberg.

Margot Vanpachtenbeke once again showed by Brabantse Pijl is her race with a 10th place to go with the breakout 5th place she took in the 2023 race. That bodes well going into this weekend. Almost all of the VolkerWessels line-up could do something but I’m going to mention local rider Quinty Schoens who comes from the Limburg region where the Amstel Gold Race takes place. She was 17th at Ronde de Mouscron and her ceiling might be similar to that here.

Top 3 Prediction

Wout Van Aert Forced to Miss Giro d’Italia Due to Injury

By

Mathew Mitchell

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April 12, 2024

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Belgian cycling star Wout Van Aert, widely regarded as one of the world’s best riders, will be sidelined for this year’s Giro d’Italia after sustaining multiple fractures in a crash during the Dwars door Vlaanderen race last month.

The incident left Van Aert with a broken collarbone, sternum, and ribs, rendering him unable to train effectively. In a recent video message, he expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the Giro, emphasising the need to prioritize his health and allow his body time to recover.

“I’m really disappointed to miss my second big goal of the season, but at this moment I need to prioritise my health and I need to give my body the time to recover,” Van Aert stated.

Despite his setback, Van Aert remains optimistic about his future prospects, aiming for a return to competition in time for this summer’s Paris Olympics. His absence from the Giro will be felt keenly, given his exceptional track record, including victories in races like Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianchi, and Gent-Wevelgem.

Christophe Laporte will step in to replace Van Aert in Visma-Lease a Bike’s Giro team, ensuring the squad remains competitive despite the loss of their star rider.

Main photo credit: Cor Vos

Pikulik sisters re-sign with Human Powered Health through 2026

By

Mathew Mitchell

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April 11, 2024

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Daria and Wiktoria Pikulik, the dynamic sprinting duo, have committed to Human Powered Health Cycling until 2026, showcasing their dedication to the team’s vision and their mutual success on and off the bike.

For Daria, the extension signifies a continuation of her impressive sprint performances, with recent victories in the Ronde de Mouscron and podium finishes in prestigious races like the Classic Brugge De Panne and the UAE Tour Women. These results solidify her status as one of the world’s top sprinters, a position she aims to maintain and elevate in the coming years.

Reflecting on her journey with the team, Daria expressed her excitement: “I feel that the team really believes in me, and it’s a pleasure for me to work with all the people that are around me at Human Powered Health. I’m grateful and motivated for our next two years together.”

Meanwhile, Wiktoria, in her debut year in the Women’s WorldTour, has proven to be a valuable asset as part of the lead-out train, showcasing her commitment to supporting her teammates and her determination to improve her own performance year by year.

“My first year has been very exciting,” Wiktoria shared. “It’s the top level in the sport, and I’m blessed for the opportunity. I will always try my best to help the team. My goal on this team is to be the best helper that my teammates want, and of course, I want to increase my level year by year.”

The bond between the Pikulik sisters goes beyond the racecourse, originating from their shared passion for cycling since childhood. Hailing from Skarżysko-Kamienna in southern Poland, they have grown into accomplished track and road cyclists, culminating in their partnership in the Madison event at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Demi Vollering Still Quiet on Future After Departure from Team SD Worx-Protime

By

Mathew Mitchell

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April 11, 2024

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It’s been confirmed for some time now that Demi Vollering will be leaving Team SD Worx-Protime at the end of the season. While team manager Danny Stam and team manager Erwin Janssen have commented on the news, Vollering herself has yet to explain her decision.

The statement released by the management of SD Worx-Protime on the day of Dwars door Vlaanderen raised eyebrows. “We made Demi a generous offer and indicated that she could respond by a certain date. Vollering’s management did not respond. Therefore, we assume that Vollering will leave the team at the end of the year,” the team stated.

Vollering could provide her own perspective on the matter, but after Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders, she avoided the mixed zone where journalists were waiting. She did speak with the press after the Brabantse Pijl. However, when asked about her take on the situation, she responded evasively. “I have nothing to say about that statement. I just want to focus on the sport.”

“Why don’t I want to say anything? It’s very simple. I’m still fully focused on this season; I’m riding for SD Worx-Protime this season. You can ask me a lot about it, but officially I can’t say anything until August 1st. You won’t hear anything from me before then.”

Lotte Kopecky Set to Tackle Giro d’Italia Women as Olympic Preparations Ramp Up

By

Mathew Mitchell

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April 11, 2024

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Lotte Kopecky, the reigning world champion, is gearing up for a busy spring season, with her sights set on not only the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège but also the upcoming Olympic Games. In preparation for Tokyo, Kopecky will take on the Giro d’Italia Women, as revealed by Danny Stam, the sporting manager at SD Worx-Protime.

Stam outlined their strategy, stating, “Lotte will ride the Giro. It’s an ideal race for her to target stage wins and improve. Lotte won’t be going on altitude training camps before the Games. We’ll stay at sea level and aim to build her up to her peak form through stage races.”

The Giro d’Italia Women, scheduled from the 7th to the 14th of July, concludes thirteen days before the Olympic time trial in Paris. Last year, Kopecky opted out of the Italian race, opting instead for the Tour de France Femmes where she wore the yellow jersey and finished 2nd on GC. However, in 2019, 2020, and 2022, she competed in the Giro d’Italia Women. Notably, in 2020, she secured her first Women’s WorldTour-level victory there.

As for whether Kopecky will participate in the Tour de France this year, Stam admits uncertainty. The Tour de France Femmes begins on August 12th in Rotterdam, just one day after the omnium event at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Stam emphasised, “There’s no long list for the Tour yet because certain riders are injured, and it’s unclear if they’ll recover in time. After Liège-Bastogne-Liège, I’ll sit down with Lotte and discuss the Tour. Ultimately, her desires are paramount.”

Kopecky’s participation in the Tour de France remains undecided, but her focus remains clear as she prepares to represent Belgium on the world stage.

Elisa Longo Borghini Triumphs at De Brabantse Pijl, Looking Ahead To Ardennes Classics

By

Mathew Mitchell

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April 10, 2024

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OVERIJSE, BELGIUM - APRIL 10: Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 9th De Brabantse Pijl - La Fleche Brabanconne 2024 - Women´s Elite a 134.9km one day race from Sint-Kwintens Lennik to Overijse on April 10, 2024 in Overijse, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Elisa Longo Borghini, the powerhouse from Team Lidl-Trek, showcased her formidable form once again following her victory at the Tour of Flanders, by clinching the win at De Brabantse Pijl. Starting from Lennik and tackling a demanding 134.9 km route peppered with 20 climbs, the race tested the riders through the picturesque yet challenging terrain around Overijse. The Italian champion made her decisive move on the last lap, leaving her main rival, Demi Vollering of Team SD Worx-Protime, in her wake on the Holstheide, a strategic climb that proved pivotal in the race’s outcome.

Vollering, the previous year’s sensation during the Ardennes classics, could not replicate her dominant form and had to settle for a distant second, despite showing aggressive racing tactics throughout the day. Meanwhile, Alexandra Manly sprinted to third place from the chasing group, marking a competitive end to the race.

Longo Borghini dedicated her win humorously to her husband, Jacopo Mosca, linking her success to the Moskesstraat climb, playfully named after him for the day. She credited her victory to her team’s strength and strategy, particularly highlighting the teamwork on the Moskesstraat, which set her up for the win. Looking ahead, Longo Borghini has set her sights on the upcoming Liège-Bastogne-Liège, her main spring goal, although she plans to support her teammates Shirin van Anrooij and Gaia Realini in the Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne, respectively.

Elisa Longo Borghini leads Demi Vollering
(Photo credit:Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Demi Vollering expressed contentment with her preparation for the Ardennes but acknowledged that the race outcomes have not yet reflected her form. Emphasising calmness in not her result, Vollering looks forward to her main objectives in the coming weeks, hinting at high expectations for the Ardennes classics.

De Brabantse Pijl served as a critical transition from the Flemish to the Ardennes classics, with riders adjusting to the shift from cobblestones to climbs. The race, celebrated for blending elements of both classic types, remains a cherished fixture on the cycling calendar, offering a unique challenge to the peloton and a preview of the fierce battles to unfold in the Ardennes.

2024 Women’s Brabantse Pijl result

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Main photo credit: Getty

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