Scarlett Souren delivered VolkerWessels another sprint victory with a well-timed burst to win the 2025 Argenta Classic-Deurne. The 21-year-old Dutch rider emerged fastest from a reduced group of five to secure her second win on Belgian soil this season, adding to her earlier triumph at the Midwest Cycling Classic.
The race, held over 132.8km around the city of Deurne, unfolded steadily before erupting into action in the second half. A group of nine riders animated the middle phase of the race, but were steadily reeled back in by a focused peloton with 7km remaining.
British rider Monica Greenwood launched a late solo attack soon after the catch, briefly threatening to spoil the sprint plans. Her effort gained some daylight, but she was caught with just under 3km to go, setting the stage for a tactical finale.
Instead of a full bunch sprint, five riders slipped away in the last kilometre. Among them were Souren, Millie Couzens and Kathrin Schweinberger, all of whom made their move as the peloton hesitated behind. Souren judged her effort best, launching her sprint at just the right moment to edge Couzens of Fenix-Deceuninck and Human Powered Health’s Schweinberger at the line. Marith Vanhove, the top Belgian finisher, crossed in 10th place, four seconds behind.
“I’m really happy with how we raced today,” said Souren after the win. “It was hectic in the final kilometres but I knew I had to stay sharp and follow the right wheels. When we got that little gap, I just went all in.”
For Souren, this marks her first win in Europe since extending her contract with VolkerWessels through 2027. After playing a lead-out role in 2024, she’s stepped into a leadership role this season, particularly following the departure of former teammate Sofie van Rooijen to UAE Team ADQ.
Her performance strengthens her case for Tour de France Femmes selection, although the final line-up for the Dutch ProTeam has yet to be confirmed.
Among the other standout performances, Federica Venturelli finished 5th after launching an attack earlier in the race, and young French rider Amalia Debarges secured 8th place with a strong ride.
For Lotto Ladies, it was a case of missed opportunity. Katrijn De Clercq and teammate Fauve Bastiaenssen were part of the day’s key move but saw their efforts neutralised as the bunch regrouped. De Clercq eventually placed 16th, reflecting on the race as one where she spent too much energy alone up front. “We had a strong team here,” she said, “but I couldn’t be in the right place when it mattered.”
Vanhove, 10th, also saw the final unfold just out of reach. “It’s a bit of a missed chance,” she admitted. “I had hoped for a bunch sprint but that small group slipping away at the end changed everything.”
With Belgian racing returning to top form, Souren’s rising sprinting profile marks her as one to watch through the rest of the summer.
2025 Argenta Classic – 2 Districtenpijl result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: FOTO GOYVAERTS/GMAX AGENCY
