British rider Cat Ferguson stormed to victory in today’s Binche-Chimay-Binche pour Dames, taking her second professional win in just her fourth race for Movistar. The 18-year-old sprinted to the top spot after favourite Charlotte Kool suffered a mechanical in the final moments of the 117-kilometre race.
The race unfolded with a series of aggressive attacks during the local laps in Binche. Although no moves stuck for long, the relentless pace began to whittle down the peloton. A brief breakaway by Anneke Dijkstra and Victoire Berteau saw the pair gain a 15-second gap, but it was soon reeled in with just a kilometre to go, under the pressure of a determined peloton.
As the final lap progressed, the reduced peloton, led by Movistar and DSM-Firmenich PostNL, prepared for a sprint finish on the cobbled streets. The Dutch sprinter Kool, a top favourite for the day, found herself well-positioned heading into the finale, thanks to a strong lead-out from teammate Franziska Koch. However, disaster struck when Kool unclipped her pedal, losing all momentum just as the sprint began. She eventually finished fourth, with Koch crossing the line in sixth.
Kool’s teammate, Koch, reflected on the finish: “We raced well together and tried to split the race in some crosswinds. In the final, we stayed calm and caught the leaders back before the finale. Unfortunately, Charlotte touched my wheel and clipped out, so we missed out on the final kick for the win.”
Unfazed by the chaos behind her, Ferguson took full advantage and powered ahead of Christina Schweinberger and Anniina Ahtosalo to take a commanding win.
Photo Credit: PhotoNews“It’s incredible, I’m here just to learn,” Ferguson said, reflecting on her unexpected win. “I’m still a junior, I’m still a stagiaire and this is totally not what I expected at the front of the race, so it’s really surreal.”
Riding as a stagiaire for Movistar, Ferguson has quickly impressed since her dual victories in the junior time trial and road race at the world championships in Zürich. Speaking after the race, she expressed her gratitude for her team. “I’m so grateful to the girls because I’m new and they are so welcoming and accommodating, and they help me so much to learn.”
For Ferguson, today’s victory marks yet another step in her rapid progression towards the elite ranks. “If I can keep on the progression that I’m going on at the minute, then I think I can achieve great things,” she said, acknowledging the long road ahead. “The next three years are just about adapting to the new category and learning from the girls around me.”
Ferguson’s full-time contract with Movistar begins in January, but her current form suggests she’s already making her mark amongst the WorldTour favourites.
Rounding out the podium, Schweinberger claimed second place for the second consecutive year, while Ahtosalo secured third, maintaining her impressive run at the event. Belgium’s Marthe Truyen finished as the top domestic rider in fifth place.
2024 Binche Chimay Binche pour Dames result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
