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When the peloton lined up in Tielt, Belgium this morning, the mood was dampened by yesterday’s terrible events. And a minute of silence was held in honour of the 34 people who were killed in the terrorist bombings around Brussels, just 84 kilometers away.
Until late last night, it had been uncertain whether the race would continue due to safety concerns and teams unable to travel to the race venue or cancel out of a sign of respect.
But the organisers decided to move ahead with the race, and perhaps the race was exactly what was needed: a celebration of life and a message that terrorism cannot win.
The Race:
As a prelude to the UCI ranking, which the women’s edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen will receive next year, the women’s race has already been upgraded from a number of a circuit-style race to a road race of just over 100 kilometers with the famous Nokereberg, Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg climbs in it.
Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5) managed to defend her last year’s victory, while her teammate and Belgian champion Jolien D’Hoore came in second for the one-two punch. Former Wigglette Eileen Roe (Lares-Waowdeals) rounded out the podium in third place.
Pieters, D’Hoore and Roe had been part of a 12-person breakaway that broke free on the cobbles of the Kwaremont climb. Yet a large chase group managed to join the break in the final two kilometres of the race. A mass sprint headed for the line with the two Wiggle High5 riders coming across the line first.
Check out all the action of today’s Dwars door Vlaanderen in this Velofocus photo gallery.
Photo gallery:
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- In reflective mood at the start of Dwars door Vlaanderen in Tielt.
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- A minute of silence for the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Brussels.
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- Despite the security concerns, the race is gets the go ahead with the start in Tielt.
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- The race gets underway with WV Breda and Jos Feron Lady Force riders at the front.
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- Motards securing the roads ahead of the race.
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- Wiggle High5’s Jolien D’Hoore and Dani King are relaxed at the front of the bunch.
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- The peloton speeds up across the open Flanders landscape of Dwars door Vlaanderen.
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- Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5) leads up the Oude Kwaremont.
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- The leaders approach the Paterberg.
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- Jessie Daams (Lotto-Soudal) in the front group as the race takes on the Paterberg.
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- Floortje Mackaij (Liv-Plantur) in the front group, wearing the shirt of her mix team.
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- Jolien D’Hoore (Wiggle High5) has found her road legs and makes her way up the Paterberg in the front group.
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- Monique van de Ree (Lares-Waowdeals) on the Paterberg, shielding teammate Eileen Roe from the wind.
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- The top of the Paterberg comes into view.
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- Sofie de Vuyst (Lotto-Soudal) sets the pace in the lead group as the peloton has split into pieces on the climbs.
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- Lotte Kopecky (Lotto-Soudal) leads the front group of riders as rain drops come down in Flanders.
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- Vita Heine avoids the worst of the Varent cobbles by choosing the gutter. The Team Hitec rider started in a Norwegian mix team.
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- Commotion in the feedzone, as a High5 Australian Development Team rider takes a bottle.
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- Only 7 km to go for the leaders.
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- Eveything has come back together, but Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5) wins Dwars door Vlaanderen ahead of teammate Jolien D’Hoore and Eileen Roe (Lares-Waowdeals).
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- Eileen Roe (Lares-Waowdeals) admires Amy Pieters’ little horse. It’s the third one in a row that she can take home.
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- The top three of this year’s Dwars door Vlaanderen: Amy Pieters, Jolien D’Hoore and Eileen Roe.
Results
1. Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5)
2. Jolien D’Hoore (Wiggle High5)
3. Eileen Roe (Lares-Waowdeals)
4. Floortje Mackaij (Liv-Plantur)
5. Anouk Rijff (Lotto-Soudal Ladies)
6. Annelies Dom (Lensworld-Zannata)
7. Kimberley Wells (High5 Australia Development team)
8. Lotte Kopecky (Lotto-Soudal Ladies)
9. Kelly Druyts (Topsport Vlaanderen)
10. Camilla Möllebro (BMS Birn)
