Sofie van Rooijen claimed victory in the third edition of the Konvert Koerse on Friday, after a late sprint in the streets of Kortrijk. The Dutch rider outpaced Italy’s Chiara Consonni and Poland’s Daria Pikulik, securing her third win of the season.
The race, also known locally as Kortrijk Koerse, was delayed by 20 minutes due to a shortage of marshals in Zwevegem. Despite the setback, 124 riders from 25 teams lined up for the start. The course included two large laps of 37 kilometres followed by five local laps of 9 kilometres each, covering the streets of the Doorniksewijk, a neighbourhood that had not been part of the route in previous editions.
Before the race, there were concerns that the wind might play a disruptive role on the flat course. However, as Dutch rider Nienke Veenhoven noted, “There was too little wind for us to put the race on the side. We entered the local circuit with a big bunch, and with two laps to go, I knew a sprint was inevitable.” Veenhoven ultimately finished fourth, just outside the podium positions. “The ladies made sure I was positioned well for the final sprint. Unfortunately, it was just not enough for the podium.”
The race attracted a moderate crowd, with numbers increasing as the finish line approached. Organisers had hoped the return to Doorniksewijk would bring back some of the event’s former glory, but there is still work to be done in order to fully revitalise the race.
In the final sprint, Van Rooijen’s timing and speed were impeccable, allowing her to cross the finish line ahead of her rivals. This marks another significant achievement for the VolkerWessels rider, who has shown consistent form throughout the season.
The decision to relocate the race to its traditional roots in Doorniksewijk was met with mixed reactions. Some local businesses, such as the Floryn butcher shop, felt somewhat isolated from the event. Brenda Dezitter of Floryn remarked, “We were a bit left out of the action, even though we had a fun activity for the crowd. It would be better if the entire neighbourhood was included in the race route.”
Van Rooijen’s victory adds to her growing list of accomplishments this year, further establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in the women’s peloton.
2024 Konvert Koerse Kortrijk result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
