The team, directed by the Team Manager Fortunato Lacquaniti, has obtained the 2nd and the 7th place with the Italian and Slovenian National Champions Marta Bastianelli and Eugenia Bujak, two of the greatest protagonist on the cobbled climbs of the race that opens the season of the Northern Classics.
The wind and the rain have been part of the entire race, and some punctures at the beginning which have not involved any #YellowFluoOrange athlete. Maaike Boogaard from the Netherlands attacked with few more riders, resisting for some kilometres before having been taken by the main peloton. The most critical phase was on the climbs, like Molenberg, Leberg, Berendries and especially the Kapemuur: entering Geraardsbergen a small peloton was in the front including the most favourite riders, with Marta Bastianelli and Eugenia Bujak. The Italian could resist with four other riders: Mackaij, Van Dijk and Blaak chasing Annemiek Van Vleuten, who has been the race winner. Marta won the sprint for the second place, then Eugenia Bujak arrived a few seconds later: the Slovenian was brave to catch the group with her team captain climbing the Bosberg. Alé BTC Ljubljana is the one and only team with two athletes in the overall top 7 at the finish.
Final quotes by Marta Bastianelli: “The team demonstrated to be super, thanks to everybody.” – Fortunato Lacquaniti, Team Manager, says: “We have been superior, the strongest team today in all senses.”
Tomorrow there is the Omloop Van Het Hageland in Tielt – Winge, a race where Marta Bastianelli is the last winner.
RESULTS OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD WE:
1. Annemiek Van Vleuten
2. Marta BASTIANELLI
3. Floortje Mackaij
7. Eugenia BUJAK
18. Anastasiia CHURSINA
31. Eri YONAMINE
DNF Maaike BOOGAARD
DNF Anna TREVISI
Photo (c) Anton Vos