The preparatory work was carried out by DSM-Firmenich PostNL, but Elisa Balsamo made perfect use of the red carpet. The Italian from Lidl-Trek beat Charlotte Cole in the Classic Brugge-De Panne. In this way, she takes full advantage of the absence of top runner Lorena Wipes by winning for the second time in Des Panes.
There is no SD Worx-Protime (not enough riders) at the start, so no Lorena Wiebes or Lotte Kopecky either. The abundance of runners and lack of wind meant that it was already clear in Bruges that there would be a sprint to victory.
This gave us preparation to race at least 155km. Not that there was a lack of attacks, but they were always nipped in the bud, mainly by DSM-Firmenich PostNL.
The Dutchman Nina Boijsman was able to start the second lane for De Morin, where the wind was not friendly to the attackers, with a difference of one minute.
But at the end of the endless strip of concrete, her party was over. Then it became abundantly clear that a sprint was inevitable.
DSM still had enough energy to make a run at Charlotte Cole, but Elisa Balsamo was free at the wheel and came away with a lot of strength and conviction.
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