Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease A Bike) emerged victorious on the X20 Trofee Baal after a gripping duel with Lucinda Model (Trek Baloise Lions), whereas 18-year-old Ava Holmgren (Lidl-Trek) underscored her potential with a exceptional podium end.
“For certain, it’s all the time good to begin the brand new yr with a victory, particularly with the brand new sponsor,” Van Empel mentioned.
Van Empel’s victory was her thirteenth from 15 races this season, and it additionally marked an announcement of intent after she had completed off the rostrum on the World Cup in Hulst on Saturday. The world champion needed to battle grimly for the victory, nonetheless, in a race that pitted her energy in opposition to Model’s technical abilities on the demanding course on the Sven Nys Biking Middle.
With Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado among the many absentees, this race was all the time prone to be contested by Van Empel and Model, and so it proved, as they powered away from the remaining on the opening lap.
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