Demi Vollering won the Tour of Flanders for the first time. The Dutchwoman won after an 18-kilometer solo. On the 164-kilometer circuit with start and finish in Oudenaarde, Tour de France winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot came second and Puck Pieterse came third.
Vollering made her decisive attack in almost exactly the same place as Tadej Pogacar before with the men. With 18 kilometers to go, Vollering accelerated on the penultimate climb, the Oude Kwaremont. Previously, her FDJ teammate Franziska Koch had done strong preparatory work and led the field of favorites into the climb.
Koch takes 10th place
The German had already ensured selection in the top group with her speed work. Koch ended up in 10th place.
The German Franziska Koch at the top of the group with the favorites.
Shortly after the Oude Kwaremont, the Paterberg is the last climb, after which it was another 13 kilometers to Oudenaarde. Vollering confidently brought her lead to the finish and won with an average speed of 38.4 km/h.
Kopecky has to settle for fourth place
It was more exciting behind. The Tour de France winner Ferrand-Prévot from France and the Dutch Pieterse fought for the two podium places as the chasing duo. But the lead was sometimes only a good ten seconds. In the end it was enough for the podium.
In the third group of five was Lotte Kopecky, who has already won three times in Flanders. But the Belgian had to be content with fourth place.
