Women Road World Cup : Team High Road take first World Cup
The Tour of Flanders is one of the biggest races in the World Cup Series. The race runs in parallel with the men’s (Pro Tour) event, with the closing kilometres covering the same parcours. The legendary climbs of the Muur (in Geraardsbergen) and Bosberg (11% and with 400 metres of cobbles) just 12 kilometres from the finish have been known as the place for the winner to launch her attack in the past.
In this, the fifth running De Ronde van Vlaanderen, there was action throughout the race, with the first riders attacking on the very first climb, Molenberg. Delays caused by crashes on the wet cobblestones made others nervous to maintain their position in the bunch without expending extra energy chasing back to position.
Trixi Worrack (Équipe Nürnberger) was particularly unfortunate; she suffered crashes at both ends of the race. Initially falling in the opening 25 kilometres, she was forced to switch to a spare bike and continued racing. Then, with only a few kilometres remaining, she was floored by a race motorcycle and taken to hospital. Whilst the German was not seriously injured, reports are that she is battered and heavily bruised; she had been in a position to help Suzanne De Goede with her sprint in the breakaway. After the event, De Goede admitted that she had been aware that a good finish could put her into the World Cup lead. “I was sorry for Trixi and disappointed that she was missing, she was in the front group and we could have worked together in the sprint.”
At Molenberg, Chantal Beltman (Team High Road), Marianne Vos (DSB Bank), Emma Johanssen (AA Drink) and Noemi Cantele (Team Bigla) got away. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy) and Luise Keller (Team High Road) jumped to close the gap over the cobbles through Mater. The lead group never managed to gain more than 1 minute 30 seconds, but the aggressive format for the race had been created.
The Muur caused the race to ‘explode’ and a group of fifteen riders formed. There were some attacks and counter-attacks on the way to Bosberg and it was on the final climb that the ever-active Chantal Beltman (Team High Road) attacked again, with Cantele, Duester (Cervélo Lifeforce), Johanssen (AA Drink), Vos (DSB Bank) and 2007 winner, Cooke (Bike Hut) going with her. Initially, Judith Arndt hesitated, given that the team already had Beltman ahead. Then she went, countering an attack by 2007 winner, Nicole Cooke (Bike Hut), which Beltman had closed.
On the rolling roads to the finish, it was only Kristin Armstrong (Cervélo Lifeforce) who could break away. She launched a strong attack and the only rider strong enough to go with her was Judith Arndt. The pair worked together on the run-in along the wide, dual carriageway, road. They turned right into the final 500 metres of the course and began sprinting. Despite a brave challenge by the American, Arndt opened up the gap and had time for an uncharacteristic celebration on the finish line (she is known for wisely making sure of the win and giving a victory salute well after the line). Kirsten Wild (AA Drink) won the sprint for third from Oenone Wood (Team High Road), with Marianne Vos (DSB Bank) fifth and Suzanne De Goede (Équipe Nürnberger) sixth. The remainder of the fifteen rider breakaway was completed by Nicole Cooke (Bike Hut), who rolled in at the rear. Her trump cards had been played earlier
Judith Arndt was overjoyed with her win. The German was quick to praise the efforts of her team-mates, recognising that “I didn’t have to do much because I had a team-mate [Chantal Beltman] in the break”. The place that Flanders has in the hearts of the elite women’s peloton is without doubt; “It is the best feeling. It is so special to win here at Flanders.” For the former World Champion and formidable stage race and one-day winner, this was the addition of yet another World Cup race of those regularly included in the series from recent years.
Suzanne De Goede (Équipe Nürnberger) was announced World Cup series Leader and presented to the crowd alongside Pro Tour leader, Andrei Greipel.
Consistent finishing in all three World Cups so far put De Goede on 95 points. She leads Arndt and Emma Pooley (Team Specialized Designs for Women) in the standings. The second and third-placed riders are equal on 75 points each.