American Katie Compton (Planet Bike) took her 11th win of the season on Sunday at the Superprestige race, winning in Gavere for the third year in a row.
World Champion Marianne Vos was second at just 56 seconds while another favorite, Daphny Van Den Brand (ZZPR.nl) was third at 1:43.
The opening round of the women's Superprestige series tested the riders with thick mud all along the undulating course. Van Den Brand took the lead on the first lap as Compton, Vos and Belgian Sanne Cant formed the chasing group.
Financial and welfare issues are widespread at Continental level, where 75% of riders receive no team salary and only 17% have access to regular medical screening
Team has heavy European calendar but ending season with trio of US UCI races – Armed Forces Cycling Classic, Battenkill, Philadelphia Cycling Classic – is 'especially important to us'
