Lauren Hall attacks to claim Women's Gent-Wevelgem victory
Janneke Ensing and Vera Koedooder round out podium
The third edition of Gent-Wevelgem Women was won by 35-year-old American Lauren Hall (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) as she attacked her breakaway companion to record a one second one ahead Janneke Ensing (Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team) and Vera Koedooder (Bigla).
In the final kilometre the trio escaped from a leading group of eight in the winning move while Sofie De Vuyst sprinted to fourth place (Futurumshop.nl-Zannata).
For the first time in the race's short history, the race went up the Kemmel and Monteberg twice and it was on the second ascent of the Monteberg, 35km from the finish, that a selection was made of 27 riders. Lotto Belisol's Liesbet De Vocht accelerated again almost immediately to force another break and was joined by seven riders: Hall, Sensing, Koedooder, De Vuyst, Claire Thomas, Anouska Koster and Roxane Knetemann.
The eight riders worked together to stay away and had quickly built a lead of one minute back to the bunch. Then in the final kilometre as riders started to play their cards, Koedooder and Hall jumped clear and in the sprint, Hall was the fastest or the two. Hall now adds her name alongside Elizabeth Armitstead and Kirsten Wild as winners of the race.
Result
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Lauren Hall (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 3:02:57 |
2 | Janneke Ensing (Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team) | 0:00:01 |
3 | Vera Koedooder (Bigla Cycling Team) | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
4 | Sofie De Vuyst (Futurumshop.nl-Zannata) | 0:00:06 |
5 | Roxane Knetemann (Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team) | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
6 | Anouska Koster (Futurumshop.nl-Zannata) | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
7 | Liesbet De Vocht (Lotto Belisol Ladies) | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
8 | Claire Thomas | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
9 | Kirsten Wild Team Giant-Shimano) | 0:01:42 |
10 | Nina Kessler (Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team) | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
POC Aspire cycling glasses review: A sturdy and stylish modern classic
Wide lens but modest height make these ideal for smaller heads -
Tour de Romandie: Thibau Nys wins stage 2 as Plapp attacks for GC
Lidl-Trek rider snags overall lead as Godon distanced -
Tour of Turkey: Tobias Lund Andresen wins stage 5 to retain overall lead
Fabio Jakobsen takes second behind DSM-Firmenich-PostNL teammate -
Mike's Bikes launches 'mega sale' with discounts on everything sitewide
Everything is reduced until Sunday, so it's a perfect time to stock up for the summer