Following yesterday’s stage win the results continued on Stage 2 of the Lotto Belgium Tour for Team DSM and Lorena Wiebes as she raced to second on the day assuming the overall race lead in the process with one stage to race.
Wiebes went clear over the closing kilometres in a select group of five riders that stayed away to contest the finish. A late attack took the stage honours but just behind Wiebes was fastest to take second moving into the overall lead.
The day was another where Team DSM showed their strength in taking control of the race. After some early attacks a strong break of four riders formed in the second half of the stage while behind Team DSM were present with four riders in the reduced chasing peloton with Wiebes accompanied by Susanne Andersen, Pfeiffer Georgi and Franziska Koch. The four helped set the pace and eventually brought the front of the race back together with around 25 kilometres to go.
From here on the attacks came and went until the winning move of five with around five kilometres to race. Tomorrow’s final stage takes the riders on a rolling 101 kilometre parcours around Geraardsbergen with two ascents of the Kapelmuur and three time up the Bosberg to tackle.
“Today was a really hard day and the girls did a really good job all stage,” explained Lorena Wiebes after the finish. “The last lap on the final hill we were in a good position and I ended up in a group of five at the front of the race. One rider got away in the end but I was able to take the sprint for second. Now it’s all in for tomorrow and the fight for the win.”
Team DSM coach Huub Duijn added: “We knew it was going to be a tough day with over 20 kilometres of cobbles to tackle today and some climbs as well. In the beginning we were in control and always in good position, then with 60 kilometres to go, Van Dijk went all out on the cobbles got clear setting up a strong break which we missed. With some great teamwork chasing the leaders in front we got back in the game.
“On the last time over the two decisive cobblestone sections we had Lorena in front with four others, with Pfeiffer just missing making it too, and they rode for the victory. In the cat and mouse game that followed, one rider got away while Lorena sprinted to second place behind and takes over the leaders jersey. Now it’s on to defending it tomorrow!”
RESULTS
Stage General classification Points classification Youth classification Mountains classification Teams classification
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMIALIUSIK Alena | Canyon SRAM Racing | 3:49:31 | 16 |
| 2 | WIEBES Lorena | Team DSM | 0:03 | 12 |
| 3 | KOPECKY Lotte | Belgium | ,, | 8 |