Blaak wins Gent-Wevelgem Women

Chantal Blaak (Boels-Dolmans) soloed to victory at Gent Wevelgem on Easter Sunday to assume the lead in the UCI Women’s WorldTour. The 26-year-old slipped away from a select group of around 20 riders with ten kilometres still to race. Gap gained, Blaak never looked back, eventually reaching the finish line 1:24 ahead of a seven-rider chase group. Lisa Brennauer (Canyon-SRAM) edged out Lucinda Brand (Rabo-Liv) in the small group sprint for second.

“It feels so good,” said Blaak in a post-race interview with Voxwomen. “I’m really happy to win this race.”

It’s a continuation of a stellar spring for Blaak, who finished second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to teammate Lizzie Armistead and won Le Samyn and Ronde van Drenthe. Blaak’s results are part of a dominate early season for Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team. The Dutch-registered squad has won every round to date of the inaugural UCI Women’s WorldTour. Armitstead opened the series with a win at Strade Bianche. Blaak won from a small group at Ronde van Drenthe. Armistead snagged a second victory in Italy with a late race attack at Trofeo Binda. And today Blaak won Gent Wevelgem.

“The plan was to have numbers in the front and we had,” said Blaak. “Then you have to finish it together. It was cool that we did it.”

The 2016 women’s edition of Gent Wevelgem covered 115 kilometres with the race’s five ‘hellingen’ grouped mid-course. By the time the race had reached the first ascent of the Kemmelberg at the 51-kilometre mark, the peloton had split into two distinct groups. Following the first passage of the Kemmelberg, and elite selection had been made. Twenty-seven riders formed the leading group, and Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team had the full squad of six amongst the leaders.

“It was a really windy race,” said Blaak. “It split already early. The Kemmelberg was really hard, and after the Kemmelberg, we were still with the whole team, so that was impressive. The girls did such a good job.”

The attacks came thick and fast over the cobbles and climbs that make the region of Flanders famous in the sport of cycling. The attacks softened the reduced bunch and caused a further selection following the second time up the Kemmelberg.

With the climbs completed and 30 kilometres still to race, world champion Lizzie Armistead attacked twice in quick succession. A counter-attack by Blaak followed Armistead’s catch. The Dutchwoman immediately opened up a small gap on three chasers – Lisa Brennauer (Canyon-SRAM), Emma Johansson (Wiggle High5) and Annemiek van Vleuten (Orica-AIS).

“We started to play with numbers,” said Blaak. “In the end, I have an attack and the confidence that the girls were behind me. It was really good teamwork today.”

The UCI Women’s WorldTour continues next Sunday with the Tour of Flanders. “Next week is Flanders,” said Blaak. “I’m really looking forward to starting in this [Women’s WorldTour] jersey at my favourite classic.”

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 Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team2:56:00
2Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon-SRAM0:01:24
3Lucinda Brand (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling TeamRow 2 - Cell 2
4Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5Row 3 - Cell 2
5Carmen Small (USA) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling TeamRow 4 - Cell 2
6Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Orica-AISRow 5 - Cell 2
7Leah Kirchmann (Can) Team Liv-PlanturRow 6 - Cell 2
8Eleonora Van Dijk (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cycling TeamRow 7 - Cell 2
9Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle High50:01:27
10Romy Kasper (Ger) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team0:01:32
11Megan Guarnier (USA) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team0:02:23
12Elena Cecchini (Ita) Canyon-SRAMRow 11 - Cell 2
13Jolanda Neff (Swi) Servetto FootonRow 12 - Cell 2
14Sarah Roy (Aus) Orica-AISRow 13 - Cell 2
15Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5Row 14 - Cell 2
16Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) BepinkRow 15 - Cell 2
17Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Boels Dolmans Cycling TeamRow 16 - Cell 2
18Jolien D'hoore (Bel) Wiggle High50:04:24
19Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AISRow 18 - Cell 2
20Lotta Lepistö (Fin) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling TeamRow 19 - Cell 2
21Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels Dolmans Cycling TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22Joelle Numainville (Can) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling TeamRow 21 - Cell 2
23Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ita) Lensworld-ZannataRow 22 - Cell 2
24Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica-AIS0:04:25
25Malgorzta Jasinska (Pol) Alé CipolliniRow 24 - Cell 2
26Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Team Liv-Plantur0:05:15
27Anouska Koster (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling TeamRow 26 - Cell 2
28Alexis Ryan (USA) Canyon-SRAMRow 27 - Cell 2
29Jeanne Korevaar (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling TeamRow 28 - Cell 2
30Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle High5Row 29 - Cell 2
31Eugenia Bujak (Pol) BTC City LjubljanaRow 30 - Cell 2
32Elizabeth Williams (Aus) Orica-AISRow 31 - Cell 2
33Eileen Roe (GBr) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 32 - Cell 2
34Lauren Kitchen (Aus) Hitec ProductsRow 33 - Cell 2
35Lotte Kopecky (Bel) Lotto Soudal LadiesRow 34 - Cell 2
36Chanella Stougje (Ned) Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental TeamRow 35 - Cell 2
37Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Tibco-Silicon Valley BankRow 36 - Cell 2
38Moniek Tenniglo (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling TeamRow 37 - Cell 2
39Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon-SRAMRow 38 - Cell 2
40Jip Van Den Bos (Ned) Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental TeamRow 39 - Cell 2
41Coryn Rivera (USA) UnitedHealthcare WomenRow 40 - Cell 2
42Kelly Druyts (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Etixx-Guill D'orRow 41 - Cell 2
43Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty16 - RidebikerRow 42 - Cell 2
44Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling TeamRow 43 - Cell 2
45Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Canyon-SRAMRow 44 - Cell 2
46Thalita De Jong (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling TeamRow 45 - Cell 2
47Loren Rowney (Aus) Orica-AISRow 46 - Cell 2
48Janneke Ensing (Ned) Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental TeamRow 47 - Cell 2
49Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) UnitedHealthcare WomenRow 48 - Cell 2
50Emilie Moberg (Nor) Hitec ProductsRow 49 - Cell 2
51Lieselot Decroix (Bel) Lotto Soudal LadiesRow 50 - Cell 2
52Roxane Knetemann (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling TeamRow 51 - Cell 2
53Valerie Demey (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Etixx-Guill D'or0:05:21
54Lauren Stephens (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank0:05:24
55Brianna Walle (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank0:05:40
56Natalie Van Gogh (Ned) Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental Team0:07:02
57Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty16 - RidebikerRow 56 - Cell 2
58Eugénie Duval (Fra) Poitou-Charentes.Futuroscope.86Row 57 - Cell 2
59Ann-Sofie Duyck (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Etixx-Guill D'orRow 58 - Cell 2
60Nina Kessler (Ned) Lensworld-ZannataRow 59 - Cell 2
61Iris Slappendel (Ned) UnitedHealthcare WomenRow 60 - Cell 2
62Silvia Valsecchi (Ita) BepinkRow 61 - Cell 2
63Sara Mustonen (Swe) Team Liv-PlanturRow 62 - Cell 2
64Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Alé CipolliniRow 63 - Cell 2
65Marta Tagliaferro (Ita) Alé CipolliniRow 64 - Cell 2
66Esra Tromp (Ned) Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental TeamRow 65 - Cell 2
67Ganna Solovei (Ukr) Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental Team0:10:45
68Jelena Eric (Srb) BTC City LjubljanaRow 67 - Cell 2
69Sofie De Vuyst (Bel) Lotto Soudal LadiesRow 68 - Cell 2
70Diana Peñuela (Col) UnitedHealthcare WomenRow 69 - Cell 2
71Anna Plichta (Pol) BTC City LjubljanaRow 70 - Cell 2
72Kelly Van Den Steen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Etixx-Guill D'orRow 71 - Cell 2
73Clara Koppenburg (Ger) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling TeamRow 72 - Cell 2
74Katia Ragusa (Ita) Servetto FootonRow 73 - Cell 2
75Abby-Mae Parkinson (GBr) Servetto FootonRow 74 - Cell 2
76Sofia Arreola (Mex) Twenty16 - RidebikerRow 75 - Cell 2
77Vita Heine (Nor) Hitec ProductsRow 76 - Cell 2
78Dani King (GBr) Wiggle High5Row 77 - Cell 2
79Leah Thomas (USA) Twenty16 - RidebikerRow 78 - Cell 2
80Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Twenty16 - RidebikerRow 79 - Cell 2
81Kaat Hannes (Bel) Lensworld-ZannataRow 80 - Cell 2
82Jessica Cerra (USA) Twenty16 - RidebikerRow 81 - Cell 2
83Rossella Ratto (Ita) Cylance Pro CyclingRow 82 - Cell 2
84Alison Tetrick (USA) Cylance Pro CyclingRow 83 - Cell 2
85Lauren Komanski (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley BankRow 84 - Cell 2
86Louisa Lobigs (Aus) AustraliaRow 85 - Cell 2
87Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Lotto Soudal Ladies0:10:49
88Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Hitec ProductsRow 87 - Cell 2
89Ilaria Sanguineti (Ita) Bepink0:11:20
DNFJulia Soek (Ned) Team Liv-PlanturRow 89 - Cell 2
DNFKyara Stijns (Ned) Team Liv-PlanturRow 90 - Cell 2
DNFRiejanne Markus (Ned) Team Liv-PlanturRow 91 - Cell 2
DNFJessie Daams (Bel) Lotto Soudal LadiesRow 92 - Cell 2
DNFWilleke Knol (Ned) Lotto Soudal LadiesRow 93 - Cell 2
DNFCecilie Gotaas Johnsen (Nor) Hitec ProductsRow 94 - Cell 2
DNFCharlotte Becker (Ger) Hitec ProductsRow 95 - Cell 2
DNFNicole Brändli (Swi) Servetto FootonRow 96 - Cell 2
DNFMolly Meyvisch (Bel) Servetto FootonRow 97 - Cell 2
DNFAnna Potokina (Rus) Servetto FootonRow 98 - Cell 2
DNFAnna Trevisi (Ita) Alé CipolliniRow 99 - Cell 2
DNFMartina Alzini (Ita) Alé CipolliniRow 100 - Cell 2
DNFEmilia Fahlin (Swe) Alé CipolliniRow 101 - Cell 2
DNFShelley Olds (USA) Cylance Pro CyclingRow 102 - Cell 2
DNFValentina Scandolara (Ita) Cylance Pro CyclingRow 103 - Cell 2
DNFRachele Barbieri (Ita) Cylance Pro CyclingRow 104 - Cell 2
DNFSheyla Gutierrez Ruiz (Spa) Cylance Pro CyclingRow 105 - Cell 2
DNFAnnelies Dom (Bel) Lensworld-ZannataRow 106 - Cell 2
DNFWinanda Spoor (Ned) Lensworld-ZannataRow 107 - Cell 2
DNFKaat Van Der Meulen (Bel) Lensworld-ZannataRow 108 - Cell 2
DNFMonique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 109 - Cell 2
DNFSarah Rijkes (Aut) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 110 - Cell 2
DNFLotte Van Hoek (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 111 - Cell 2
DNFJesse Vandenbulcke (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 112 - Cell 2
DNFSarah Inghelbrecht (Bel) Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 113 - Cell 2
DNFGilke Croket (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Etixx-Guill D'orRow 114 - Cell 2
DNFJessy Druyts (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Etixx-Guill D'orRow 115 - Cell 2
DNFLenore Pipes (Gum) BepinkRow 116 - Cell 2
DNFLex Albrecht (Can) BepinkRow 117 - Cell 2
DNFTereza Medvedova (Svk) BepinkRow 118 - Cell 2
DNFCoral Casado Ortiz (Spa) Bizkaia - DurangoRow 119 - Cell 2
DNFRoos Hoogeboom (Ned) Bizkaia - DurangoRow 120 - Cell 2
DNFLierni Lekuona Etxebeste (Spa) Bizkaia - DurangoRow 121 - Cell 2
DNFLourdes Oyarbide Jimenez (Spa) Bizkaia - DurangoRow 122 - Cell 2
DNFPaula Lanz Blazquez (Spa) Bizkaia - DurangoRow 123 - Cell 2
DNFNahia Leonet (Spa) Bizkaia - DurangoRow 124 - Cell 2
DNFPolona Batagelj (Slo) BTC City LjubljanaRow 125 - Cell 2
DNFMia Radotic (Cro) BTC City LjubljanaRow 126 - Cell 2
DNFUrsa Pintar (Slo) BTC City LjubljanaRow 127 - Cell 2
DNFNicole Hanselmann (Swi) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling TeamRow 128 - Cell 2
DNFRoxane Fournier (Fra) Poitou-Charentes.Futuroscope.86Row 129 - Cell 2
DNFAude Biannic (Fra) Poitou-Charentes.Futuroscope.86Row 130 - Cell 2
DNFCoralie Demay (Fra) Poitou-Charentes.Futuroscope.86Row 131 - Cell 2
DNFVictorie Guilman (Fra) Poitou-Charentes.Futuroscope.86Row 132 - Cell 2
DNFLauren Hall (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley BankRow 133 - Cell 2
DNFEmily Collins (NZl) Tibco-Silicon Valley BankRow 134 - Cell 2
DNFHayley Simmonds (GBr) UnitedHealthcare WomenRow 135 - Cell 2
DNFAnnie Ewart (Can) UnitedHealthcare WomenRow 136 - Cell 2
DNFShannon Malseed (Aus) AustraliaRow 137 - Cell 2
DNFJenelle Crooks (Aus) AustraliaRow 138 - Cell 2
DNFErin Kinnealy (Aus) AustraliaRow 139 - Cell 2
DNFJessica Allen (Aus) AustraliaRow 140 - Cell 2
DNSKimberley Wells (Aus) AustraliaRow 141 - Cell 2

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