Kaptheijns dominates the Zonhoven pit
Cant and Brammeier complete Superprestige race podium
Maud Kaptheijns (Crelan-Charles) won the second round of the Superprestige Ladies Trophy in Zonhoven, leading from flag to flag once again.
Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) finished second at a distant 1:07, while Nikki Brammeier (Boels-Dolmans) was third at 1:14.
“I like to race on the sand, though it was heavy - certainly in this hot weather,” Kaptheijns said after the race. “This is my most beautiful victory. Gieten was beautiful, but I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than winning in Zonhoven’s pit.”
Ahead of the race a fight between Kaptheijns and the in-form Katie Compton (KFC Racing p/b Trek-Panache) had been anticipated. The US champion had gotten the better of Kaptheijns at the DVV Trofee in Ronse a week ago, also beating her at Saturday’s Poldercross. But Zonhoven was - much like the opening round in Gieten - all about one woman after Compton suffered with asthma and allergies in the warm conditions and Belgian pine trees.
Kaptheijns set the tone from the start, leading the way in the unseasonable 23°c heat and establishing a small gap on the opening lap of ‘the sandpit’.
World Champion Cant endured a nightmare start, falling over 30 seconds back, while a chase group of four - Compton, Brammeier, Worst (Era-Circus) and Ellen Van Loy (Telenet-Fidea Lions) - separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
It quickly became clear that Kaptheijns wouldn’t be challenged as her lead grew and grew. Twelve seconds clear at the end of lap one; she added around ten more on every trip around. On lap two it looked like second place would be decided early too, as Brammeier went clear of the chase group.
The Brit opened a 20 second gap on Worst and the rest of the chasers midway through the race, but Cant was a woman on a mission, determined to work her way to the podium. On the penultimate lap she picked off Worst before catching and passing Brammeier off-camera on the final lap to take the second spot on the podi-um.
Top spot belonged to Kaptheijns though and on form like this, her rivals will be wondering what they have to do to get a look in during the remaining six Super-prestige rounds. Meanwhile Compton fell back as the race went on and eventually finished in seventh place.
Full Results
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Maud Kaptheijns (Ned) Crelan-Charles | 0:45:49 |
2 | Sanne Cant (Bel) Beobank-Corendon | 0:01:08 |
3 | Nikki Brammeier (GBr) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam | 0:01:15 |
4 | Annemarie Worst (Ned) Era Real Estate - Circus | 0:01:24 |
5 | Ellen Van Loy (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:01:40 |
6 | Alice Maria Arzuffi (Ita) Steylaerts-Betfirst | 0:01:56 |
7 | Katherine Compton (USA) Kfc Racing P/B Trek/Panache | 0:02:28 |
8 | Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Kleur Op Maat - Bns Technics | 0:03:00 |
9 | Laura Verdonschot (Bel) Marlux - Napoleon Games | 0:03:11 |
10 | Elle Anderson (USA) Cycling.Be - Alphamotorhomes C | 0:03:23 |
11 | Geerte Hoeke (Ned) Wv Breda | 0:03:58 |
12 | Karen Verhestraeten (Bel) Donen/Vondelmolen Cx-Team | 0:04:04 |
13 | Jolien Verschueren (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Vastgoedservice | 0:04:22 |
14 | Denise Betsema (Ned) Hr En Tc D.O.K | 0:04:56 |
15 | Inge Van Der Heijden (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team | 0:06:18 |
16 | Alicia Franck (Bel) Marlux Napoleon Games | 0:06:27 |
17 | Stefanie Paul (Ger) Stevens Racing Team | Row 16 - Cell 2 |
18 | Lindy Van Anrooij (Ned) Cycling.Be - Alpha Motorhomes | Row 17 - Cell 2 |
19 | Susanne Meistrok (Ned) Mijn Bad-Liv/Giant | Row 18 - Cell 2 |
20 | Marthe Truyen (Bel) Aa-Drink Jongerenteam | Row 19 - Cell 2 |
21 | Monique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares Waowdeales | Row 20 - Cell 2 |
22 | Natalie Redmond (Aus) Ozriders Cannondale Sram | Row 21 - Cell 2 |
23 | Fleur Nagengast (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions | Row 22 - Cell 2 |
24 | Esther Van Der Burg (Ned) Cycling.Be- Alpha Motorhomes | Row 23 - Cell 2 |
25 | Aniek Van Alphen (Ned) Wv Breda | Row 24 - Cell 2 |
26 | Shana Maes (Bel) Donen/Vondelmolen Cx-Team | Row 25 - Cell 2 |
27 | Amira Mellor (GBr) Paul Milnes Cycles Yorkshire | Row 26 - Cell 2 |
28 | Jana Dobbelaere (Bel) Kleur Op Maat - Bns Technics | Row 27 - Cell 2 |
29 | Tinne Vermeiren (Bel) Kleur Op Maat - Bns Technics | Row 28 - Cell 2 |
30 | Jinse Peeters (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Vastgoedservice | Row 29 - Cell 2 |
31 | Laura Van Der Zwaan (Ned) Drc De Mol | Row 30 - Cell 2 |
32 | Elodie Kuijper (Ned) Cycling.Be - Alphamotorhomes C | Row 31 - Cell 2 |
33 | Mara Schwager (Ger) Lpm Luxemburg | Row 32 - Cell 2 |
34 | Madeleine Gammons (GBr) Team Vision Innovative Leisure | Row 33 - Cell 2 |
35 | Meg De Bruyne (Bel) Kleur Op Maat - Bns Technics | Row 34 - Cell 2 |
36 | Pien Limpens (Ned) Wcl Bergklimmers | Row 35 - Cell 2 |
37 | Lise Van Wunsel (Bel) Vanomobil Mtb Cycling Team | Row 36 - Cell 2 |
38 | Anke Van Rompay (Bel) Kleur Op Maat - Bns Technics | Row 37 - Cell 2 |
39 | Sara Beeckmans (Bel) Kleur Op Maat - Bns Technics | Row 38 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Nikola Noskova (Cze) Cycling Team Vorselaar | Row 39 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Manon Bakker (Ned) Wv Giant Dt Benelux | Row 40 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Yara Kastelijn (Ned) Wm3 Pro Cycling | Row 41 - Cell 2 |
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Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.
Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.
As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees How to Watch guides and works on The Leadout newsletter throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix and their favourite published article is from the 2024 edition of the latter: 'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix
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