No podium for Team Jumbo-Visma Women in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
The Jumbo-Visma women's team gave it their all but could not finish on the podium in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
The riders weren't really able to launch an early attack in the first race on Belgian soil. As soon as the race started, Team Jumbo-Visma rode at the front of the pack. The breakaway of the day tookma while to form, and only on the first cobbled sections the peloton began to show signs of cracks.
The race was decided on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg. Before then, the squad launched a strong push on the Molenberg, and Karlijn Swinkels made a brave attempt.
"Although we are happy with our results, we were hoping for more."
Team Jumbo-Visma riders Anna Henderson, Riejanne Markus, and Swinkels were still in the bunch after the Muur and the Bosberg, but they could not cut the distance to the front of the field. After a fierce attack, Lotte Kopecky of Flanders made her way to Ninove alone.
"It went quite well”, Swinkels concluded. "After the Molenberg, we were always in a situation where one of our riders could be of extra value. Although our final still needs some work, overall, we can be happy with how we raced.”
Race director Lieselot Decroix: "Especially in the second half, the girls rode well, and we helped to control the race. We were right there on the Muur and the Bosberg. But we couldn't do much better in the sprint. Although we are happy with our results, we were hoping for more.”