Photo Credit: Arnaud Guillaume / AG Tour de la Semois

Racing under grizzly conditions in Belgium, Team DSM rode well as a unit throughout the day, following dangerous attacks before Lorena Wiebes powered to a punchy uphill sprint win.

A steady day start to proceedings saw one lone leader for a long portion of the stage, before she was caught inside 25 kilometres to go. Riding aggressively, Elise Uijen went on the charge for the team alongside another rider, while behind the rest of the team rode well together. Coming into the hilly finale, Uijen’s move was caught and despite some more attacks, Uijen and Francesca Barale were in the reduced group and held things together – setting up the sprint finale for finisher Wiebes. Putting the power down, Wiebes charged to the win after what was a strong team performance.

Photo Credit: Cor Vos

“It was a good race from the whole team, we were in the front every time we needed to be,” explained Wiebes. “It was also a bit of a slow and cold race in tough conditions. Megan and Charlotte did a great job in positioning us throughout the day. Just before the last lap Francesca bridged to a break and when that was caught back, Elise got in a break with another rider, so that was a perfect situation for us. She was caught by the peloton on the steep climb so we were with three in the group. Bredewold attacked with five kilometres to go and Francesca paced the bunch. Elise then set the tempo on the small climb before the finish. I then took the downhill and paced up the last hill to the line and caught Bredewold back in the last 100 metres. I’m happy to finish the teamwork off.” 

Team DSM coach Huub Duijn added: “It was a cold and rainy day in the Ardennes. There was a solo leader for most of the race, stage who was caught in the final 30 kilometres. Then the attacks started and with about 20 kilometres to go Elise got a gap with another rider. It was a really strong ride from her and the gap went up to around 40 seconds. With six kilometres left we had the final steep climb where the gap fell. Elise was then caught by the first part of the bunch on the top of the climb, where we also had Francesca and Lorena in the group. The leader, Bredewold, attacked but Francesca and Elise then controlled the last kilometre and rode in the front to setup Lorena for the sprint – which she won. It was a nice ride from everyone.”