Cyclist Justine Ghekiere ready for the spring classics

The 26-year-old may still be a rookie in the peloton, but recently caught the interest of the pro peloton after her 12-hour marathon on Zwift. After intermediate steps at Bingoal-Chevalmaire and Plantur Pura, she now rides for Patrick Lefevere’s women’s team.

Last weekend, Justine surprised friend and foe with her overall victory in the Valencia Tour. She is therefore a bit overwhelmed by the interest after her high-profile victory. “My social media was booming. When I crossed the finish line, I was cursing because I was second in the sprint. I would have been happy with just the polka dot jersey, but then they came and told me I was also the overall leader classification. Then it was a bit of a swallow.”

Last year, Ghekiere already surprised. Due to a steering error, she only finished second in the Grand Prix of Wallonia. At the World Cup in Wollongong she was the second Belgian with a nineteenth place. So climbing is one of her specialties. “Especially the Walloon classics I try to peak. In the second half of the season I aim for the rounds, but they will not take place in Belgium. The pressure will be a bit higher, but the expectations will be there. Every race will with more pressure. I hope that will be something positive,” said Justine.

Anyone who wants to see Ghekiere at work will have to wait until Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. After that she drives the Walloon classics.