Looking at the course, the Grote Prijs Beerens seems like it should always end in a bunch sprint. However, that hasn’t always been the case in its three-year history. In the first edition in 2021, Thalita de Jong won by breaking away with Christina Schweinberger and three other riders, leaving the peloton behind. The rest of the riders came in two and a half minutes later, fighting for lower positions in the top 10. For De Jong, it was her first win in five years, which helped to revive her road career after struggling with injuries.
The 2022 race followed a more predictable pattern. Although none of the major sprinters were there, it still came down to a large group of nearly 70 riders competing for the win. Majo van’t Geloof crossed the line first, just ahead of her teammate Jesse Vandenbulcke, giving Le Col Wahoo a rare 1-2 finish. Sadly, the British Continental team has since closed down. Marith Vanhove of Parkhotel Valkenburg took third place, finishing ahead of Susanne Meistrok, who has since retired but showed promise that season.
With the race now well-established, Chiara Consonni entered last season as a favourite and delivered the expected result, winning while riding for the UAE Development Team. It was a chance for the Italian to claim victory without having to compete against stars like Balsamo, Wiebes, and Kool. She beat Martina Fidanza and Sofie van Rooijen, both of whom have had strong results in 2024. This time, about 35 riders contested the sprint, which was still very much the anticipated outcome.
As we look ahead to the 2024 race, all eyes are on Daria Pikulik and Sofie van Rooijen, who are considered the pre-race favourites. Pikulik has had a standout season so far, and Van Rooijen has continued to build on her success from last year. Both riders have shown they can handle the pressure in big races, making this year’s edition one to watch. Whether it ends in a sprint or a breakaway, these two are likely to be in the mix for victory.
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