Shanyl De Schoesitter was the clear top favorite and took off right at the start. Going into the second round she already had a considerable lead over Ilken Seynave. Behind them, Sanne Laurijssen and Alexe De Raedemaeker formed a chasing duo. Halfway through, De Schoesitter still had a respectable lead, but by the start of the fourth and final lap it had shrunk to just four seconds. Seventeen-year-old Seynave went up and over De Schoesitter and eventually finished with a 44-second lead. De Schoesitter blocked completely and still had to fight to narrowly hold off De Raedemaeker for the silver.
Earlier in the day, fifteen-year-old Zita Peeters, who won silver last year as a first-year, lived up to her role as favorite. However, she was only able to get rid of Lisa Maes in the final round. Elise Cousens finished fourth after Melanie Lemmens and can call herself Belgian champion among the first-year newcomers.
Later today, the junior boys and the women’s elite and promises will also take action in Meulebeke.