Vollering solos to victory in Overijse
After a close second place last year, this time the Dutch Vollering raced to success. She left Rooijakkers behind in the fourth and final climb of Moskesstraat, 10 km from the finish line. Niewiadoma sprinted to second place about 20 seconds before Lippert.
At 10:50 a.m. the peloton departed from the Markt in Lennik for a 141km race over 24 hills. Although the riders will have to deal with a few showers along the way, the attacking spirit is more than present in the peloton. It was not really possible to break away. First Christian (Le Col Wahoo) tries and at the first passage on Hertstraat Kraak (Jumbo-Visma Women) also tries her luck, but both in vain.
In the peloton Team SD Worx controls the race, with Marlen Reusser visible in front. At about 55 km from the finish a group of riders broke away from the peloton, including Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing), Labous (Team DSM), and the duo Vollering - Reusser (Team SD-Worx). The lead on the peloton with world champion Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) is soon 20 seconds. The block around Balsamo tries to control the race from the peloton.
Just before the last two laps, the lead of the breakaway increased to 40 seconds. In the meantime, the weather conditions have turned the peloton into a depleted chasing group. At the third and penultimate passage on Moskesstraat, the group regroups. On the cobbles, the leading group is caught by what is left of the peloton and everything can be done again.
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With about 25km to go, Rooijakkers (Canyon//SRAM Racing) thinks her moment has come. The two immediately open up a 15-second gap and the gap increases with each passing second. The peloton seems to be in for a treat. The winner is in front.
At the last pass on Moskesstraat, about 10 km from the finish line, Vollering leaves her companion behind and goes solo in search of victory in the 5th edition of De Brabantse Pijl. Rooijakkers does everything she can to secure second place, but with less than 5km to go she is joined by Nieuwiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing), the duo Lippert - Labous (Team DSM) and Reusser, Vollering's teammate.
Vollering's victory was never in danger. Last year's runner-up can put her hands in the air and celebrate on the Brusselsesteenweg in Overijse. At about 20 seconds from the winner, Nieuwiadoma sprinted to second place, ahead of Lippert.
