Vos sprints to her first success in Omloop het Nieuwsblad

Marianne Vos (Visma I Lease A Bike) sprinted to victory on her debut in Omloop het Nieuwsblad. World champion Lotte Kopecky was second and Italian champion Longo Borghini completed the top 3.

To loud applause, the women’s teams were welcomed to a packed Kuipke for the start of the Flemish cycling spring. At around 13:35, the women set off on their opening classic, a race of 127 km. Directly after the start, an early breakaway of five riders was quickly formed: Ana Vitoria Magalhaes (BePink), Rotem Gafinovitz (Hess) and Marieke de Groot (Proximus-Cyclis), Marieke Meert (VolkerWessels) and Maaike Coljé (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) were able to build up a lead of more than 7 minutes.

After about 35 km, on the Haaghoek, Longo Borghini decided it was time to increase the tempo. The Italian champion rode away from a broken peloton and joined the early breakaway 27 km from the finish. She immediately pulled ahead and was quickly 20 seconds ahead of a group that included top favourite Kopecky and her teammates Vollering and Wiebes. The group also included Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM), Vos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek).

It was Lotto Kopecky who gave chase to the Lidl-Trek rider on the ascent of the Muur van Geraardsbergen. The world champion powered strongly ahead, with only Marianne Vos, Shirin Van Anrooij and Longo Borghini able to keep up. The quartet moved together towards the final climb of the day. After another renewed effort from Kopecky, the foursome were still together at the top of the Bosberg and the road to the finish was wide open.

Lidl-Trek’s two riders each took turns to attack during the last 4 km, with Kopecky and Vos always reacting alertly. In a sprint, it was the experienced Marianne Vos who took the win. Lotte Kopecky had to be satisfied with second place while Longo Borghini completed the podium.