Martina Fidanza of Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling clinched her first road win of the season at the GP Mazda Schelkens in Borsbeek, Belgium. The Italian sprinter surged ahead in the final 100 metres, using her track speed to outpace her rivals in a dramatic finish. It’s her first win since the 2023 Ronde de Mouscron.
The 128.7km UCI 1.1 race featured 11 laps around a fast, flat circuit. Despite several attempts by riders to break away, the peloton remained tightly controlled by the sprinters’ teams, notably Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling and Human Powered Health. A late attack by Hannah Kunz of UAE Development Team was brought back with 10 kilometres remaining, setting the stage for a bunch sprint.
Fidanza’s teammates, Sandra Alonso and Kathrin Schweinberger, played crucial roles in delivering her to the line. “The lead-out was perfect,” Fidanza said. “I felt strong and confident thanks to my team’s support.”
(Photo credit: Bjorn van der Schoot)
Daria Pikulik of Human Powered Health finished second, adding another podium to her tally for the season. Pikulik praised her team’s efforts, especially the work of Alice Wood and Marit Raaijmakers. “Alice was really strong today, her pull was impressive,” Pikulik noted, acknowledging the Brit’s effort in pulling back a late attack from Jeanne Korevaar. Raaijmakers, fresh from the Vuelta a Burgos, guided Pikulik through the finale. “Maybe the right side was the wrong side because I was closed by other riders so I needed to fight for the position,” she explained.
Pikulik’s second place marked her sixth podium of 2024. “I want to win, I’m a winner but I’m still proud of the job and the team. I’m happy to be second and I hope we are on the way back to the level we know we can compete on to achieve the results we know we can,” she said. The team is set to compete next in the Women’s WorldTour Ride London from May 24–26. “We will try our best to bring the results that we hope for,” Pikulik added. “I’m really excited for my first time there.”
Sara Fiorin of UAE Development Team completed the podium, finishing third. Fiorin reflected on her performance, saying, “The start of the race today was difficult because I was a bit tired after yesterday’s race. But in the final, I felt good and the team believed in me. I did my sprint and finished third, and I’m happy with this result.” She also thanked her teammates and sport directors, Davide Gani and Giuseppe Lanzoni, for their support.
2024 GP Mazda Schelkens result
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