Marieke Meert claimed her first professional victory on stage 1 of the 2025 Gracia Orlová, powering up the cobbled climb into Štramberk to lead home a reduced bunch and cap off a dominant performance by the Belgian national team. The 25-year-old from VolkerWessels timed her final effort perfectly on the steep approach, finishing ahead of Malwina Mul and Caroline Andersson at the end of a 104-kilometre stage from Orlová.
It’s a breakthrough moment for Meert in her fourth season of UCI racing. While she had shown potential with a handful of top-10 results, including 8th on stage 5 here last year, this was the first time she converted a strong position into a win. Her best result of 2025 before this was 34th at Brabantse Pijl, but she delivered when it mattered on terrain that suited her strengths.
Second place for Mul continues a consistent season for the Polish rider, who also finished runner-up at the Poreč Trophy Ladies in Croatia earlier in the spring. Representing MAT Atom Deweloper Wrocław, she positioned herself well into the final corner and held off a fast-charging Andersson, while Karin Söderqvist and Lore De Schepper rounded out the top five.
Belgium dictated the rhythm of the race throughout. De Schepper launched early attacks and swept up all four mountain primes, pulling on both the green jersey for best climber and the polka dot jersey for most active rider. The 19-year-old, riding for AG Insurance–Soudal, went clear with Nina Berton and Ginia Caluori midway through the race and opened up a lead of 30 seconds before being reeled in after the final classified climb.
De Schepper showed again why she’s viewed as one of the top climbing prospects in the bunch. After claiming the Červinky and Na Kostelci climbs, she pressed on at Metylovice and again at Hukvaldy, where she sealed the mountain jersey before being brought back. Despite the energy spent off the front, she still finished fifth and sits well-placed overall.
EF Education–Oatly was the other early protagonist, placing five riders in the first serious move of the day, including Alison Jackson. But the American squad was unable to convert the numbers into a late-stage advantage, and Jackson, one of the headline riders at this year’s race, had to settle for ninth on the day, six seconds back.
The finish into Štramberk is always selective, with a sharp cobbled climb deciding the outcome. Timing, power and positioning all proved decisive, and Meert ticked every box. Launching her sprint from near the front, she opened up a clear advantage by the line and never looked in danger of being passed.
With the win, Meert takes the race lead and points jersey, while De Schepper holds both the mountains and activity classifications. All four jerseys sit with Belgium heading into stage 2 of the 37th edition of Gracia Orlová – a clear signal that the national squad intends to race from the front this week.
2024 Gracia Orlová Stage 1 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Gracia Orlová
