Clara Copponi sprinted to victory at the 2025 GP Mazda Schelkens after a well-executed team effort from Lidl-Trek kept the race under control and set up the Frenchwoman for a winning dash to the line. The 134.1-kilometre race around Borsbeek was always expected to end in a reduced sprint, and a lack of wind meant any breakaway threat was manageable for the sprinters’ teams.
The day started with a delay, as the race was pushed back half an hour due to signaller shortages. Once underway, the peloton settled into the 10-lap circuit under relatively calm skies. Attacks came early, with Audrey De Keersmaeker and Loes Sels attempting to go clear after the first intermediate sprint at 35km, but they were quickly reeled back.
A critical moment came with 24 kilometres to go, when the peloton split. A front group of 21 riders formed, including a full complement from Human Powered Health – Daria Pikulik, Maggie Coles-Lyster, Romy Kasper, Kathrin Schweinberger, Lily Williams, and Silvia Zanardi – all working together to force the pace. Also present were Copponi and teammate Fleur Moors, alongside Maria Confalonieri, Julie De Wilde, Cecilia van Zuthem, and Scarlett Souren. Their lead grew to 35 seconds going into the final lap, with Lidl-Trek keeping calm as the group gradually thinned before the sprint.
Copponi was guided perfectly into position, tucking into the right wheel and launching her effort with 150 metres to go. Susanne Andersen was second across the line, with Kathrin Schweinberger rounding out the podium in third. Julie De Wilde took fifth. Copponi’s win comes just a day after Fleur Moors took her maiden pro victory, continuing a strong run for the Lidl-Trek squad on Belgian roads.
Speaking after the finish, Copponi admitted she hadn’t started the day with great sensations but knew her sprint would be ready when it counted.
“I’m super happy, my feeling at the beginning of the race was really bad but I knew that at the end I would be able to do a good sprint,” she said. “It took me some kilometres to feel good again but I was ready for the most important moment of the race. We always had someone in the front with Fliss and Yaya to cover if attacks happened.
“At 2.5 laps to go we were a group of around 20 with the whole Human Powered Health team and a few teams with many riders, so with Fleur we did our best to stay in good position. In the end, Fleur did an amazing job to put me in the best wheel for the sprint and I started my sprint at 150m to go.
“I was feeling good all weekend so it’s super nice to finish with a win. My confidence is up and I’m ready for the rest of the season! Thanks to my teammates and all the staff for their support.”
Copponi now adds her name to the GP Mazda Schelkens honours list, succeeding 2024 winner Martina Fidanza.
2025 GP Mazda Schelkens result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
