On a windswept day that tested even the most weather-hardened cyclists, British rider Pfeiffer Georgi emerged victorious in the third edition of the women’s Binche-Chimay-Binche race. Riding for DSM-firmenich, Georgi overcame Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Anniina Ahtosalo (Uno-X) in a sprint finish, marking her fourth win of the season.
In inclement conditions, DSM-firmenich proved strategically astute, controlling the peloton with a disciplined performance. Their Dutch teammate, Charlotte Kool, considered the strongest sprinter in the race, held a key role as they navigated through the Belgian semi-classic. With crosswinds playing a significant factor, the team successfully split the peloton, thinning out the field as they circled the route.
A decisive breakaway took shape three kilometres from the finish line. DSM-firmenich, spearheaded by their coach Kelvin Dekker, orchestrated a final move that led to a breakaway of 10 riders. Georgi seized the opportunity on the final cobbled ascent, breaking away with a burst of speed that left only Schweinberger in her wake. Yet, in the final 300 metres, Georgi mustered a last-ditch surge, clinching a hard-fought victory.
French riders, while spirited in their efforts, fell short of a podium place. Victoire Berteau and Gladys Verhulst made several attempts to break free but were duly contained by the vigilant DSM-firmenich team. Laura Asencio (Ceratizit) turned out to be the first Frenchwoman across the line, finishing in sixth place.
Speaking after her win, a delighted Georgi praised her team’s collaborative effort, stating, “The team did an amazing job all race. Every lap we tried to split in the crosswinds and the girls set me and Charlotte up perfectly. In the end, I could finish it off for the team. I just went for it in the last 300 metres, it was a hard but nice race to finish the season on.”
Kelvin Dekker, the team coach, encapsulated the day’s success, stating that the victory exemplified what it means to be a team. “Today really shows what being a team means; it’s a special way to end the season,” he said.
The win for Georgi and DSM-firmenich serves as a glorious finale to a season where the team secured 20 victories. And for Georgi, this triumph not only adds to her 2023 wins but also reinforces her standing as one of the premier talents in women’s cycling. With challenging weather conditions, relentless attacks, and classic Belgian cobbled roads, this year’s Binche-Chimay-Binche had all the ingredients of a cycling classic. In the end, it was Georgi and her DSM-firmenich teammates who savoured the taste of success.
2023 Binche Chimay Binche pour Dames result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
