Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx-Protime once again demonstrated her unparalleled sprinting prowess at the Scheldeprijs, securing her fourth straight victory in what has become a signature race for the Dutch powerhouse. Competing over a challenging 130.5km course from Schoten to Schoten, Wiebes emerged victorious in a thrilling contest against Charlotte Kool of DSM-Firmenich PostNL, with Martina Fidanza of Ceratizit-WNT rounding off the podium. Her 2nd of the week after a similar performance at Ronde de Mouscron.
Reflecting on her triumph, Wiebes praised her team’s plans, “The team executed our plan to perfection, managing to reel in the breakaway in time for the sprint. I positioned myself strategically behind Kool, taking advantage of the gap left by Balsamo. The sprint was fair and square, and it felt fantastic to cross the line first once again.” Wiebes highlighted the importance of positioning and the dynamic nature of the sprint, where every detail counts, “Being in the right position without a lead-out makes the sprint all the more challenging, but we managed it brilliantly today.”
The race was marked by resilient efforts from Anneke Dijkstra and Wilma Aintila, who formed a breakaway duo that dared to dream of upsetting the sprinters. Despite their valiant effort, the peloton, driven by teams like SD Worx and DSM, ensured a bunch sprint by catching the breakaway in the race’s dying moments.
The inclement weather added an extra layer of complexity, with rain and wind testing the riders’ mettle throughout the day. Despite several crashes marring the final kilometres, the sprinters’ showdown went ahead without major incident, showcasing the depth of talent in the women’s peloton.
Wiebes’ victory not only cements her status as the queen of Scheldeprijs but also adds to her impressive tally for the 2024 season. Looking ahead, Wiebes is already eyeing Paris-Roubaix Femmes, “This win boosts our confidence heading into Paris-Roubaix, a major goal for our team. We’re carrying forward this momentum with high spirits.”
Runner-up Charlotte Kool, despite feeling a sting of disappointment, acknowledged the strength of her team’s performance, “It was close, but the team did an amazing job. I’m proud of how we executed our plan. It’s all part of the sport, and we’ll continue to push forward.”
Pre-race favourites Elisa Balsamo and Chiara Consonni both finished down the order in 7th and 8th respectively.
2024 Scheldeprijs Women result
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