The positive tradition of Valcar – Travel & Service at GP Oetingen continues, because after last year’s victory of Elisa Balsamo, this year too Davide Arzeni’s girls have conquered a podium. Another second place is once again the sprinter Chiara Consonni who surrendered only to Lorena Wiebes. In third position concluded Maria Giulia Confalonieri.
An order of arrival identical to that of La Samyn des Dames with Wiebes first and Consonni second, but the course of the race was different, because this time the escape attempts were neutralized much earlier. The chronicle of GP Oetingen in fact tells of the two escapes of Van de Velde in the first part of the race and of Adegeest in the second, but 17 km from the finish it is a compact group. In the final, Valcar – Travel & Service tries to force the pace, breaking the group in half, but 3 km from the finish it is a compact group. In the last km Chiara Consonni is very good at recovering and finishing the sprint in second place.
“In the sprint I was a little too far behind – Chiara Consonni tells live on TV – for this reason I am happy with this second place, I congratulate Lorena Wiebes. The race was tough and we tried to get into the breakaways in the first part of the race, but we couldn’t get the cooperation of the other teams. For this reason in the second part we stayed in the group to check and finish in the sprint. As always, I have to thank my teammates who have been very good. ”
A very precious second place which confirms, once again, Chiara Consonni’s excellent form moment, a clear improvement compared to a year ago; in fact, in 2021 the Bergamo-born had finished this race in 88th position three minutes from the winner Elisa Balsamo. A step forward for the rider from Bergamo who, barring unforeseen circumstances, will race both Friday and Saturday at Drenthe 8 and Ronde van Drenthe.
Oetingen – Belgium – cycling – Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands / Team DSM) – Chiara Consonni (Italy / Team Valcar – Travel & Service) – Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Italy / Team Ceratizit – WNT Pro Cycling) pictured during GP Oetingen (1.1) a one day womens race between Oetingen and Oetingen (130KM) – Photo: Anton Vos/Cor Vos © 2022