UAE TEAM ADQ

Marta Bastianelli was again on the third step of the podium at the Danilith Nokere Koerse (1.Pro) in Belgium.

Marta Bastianelli was again on the third step of the podium at the Danilith Nokere Koerse (1.Pro) in Belgium. Just like a year ago, the experienced Italian champion together with the entire UAE Team ADQ did a great job.

Our team performed well in the first part with Laura Tomasi, Anna Trevisi and Eugenia Bujak, then Bastianelli and Eleonora Gasparrini fought at the front of the race, Gasparrini went on the attack with courage and Bastianelli in the final sprint, giving the team another good result.

There were 129.1 kilometres to cover from Deinze to Nokere and several passages over cobblestones. The team works and remains compact in the first phase. Then the attacks begin and Eleonora Gasparrini immediately proves to be very energetic as she and Bujak enter into a first attempt.

Then a small group of about twenty riders at the head of the race is selected and some of the day's favourites are among them, including Bastianelli and Gasparrini. First Bastianelli moved with Henderson and Wiebes. Then, after a new attack by Lotte Kopecky, with ten kilometres to go, Gasparrini again did well to stay on the wheel and catch up with the Belgian on Biannic, who was leading the race at the time.

The three continued for a few kilometres then Lotte Kopecky opened the throttle and go away alone. The victory is hers, all to dedicate to her brother Seppe who died a few days ago. We join in a hug to Lotte in this moment of grief.

Returning to the race, behind her there was a fight for the other podium positions, and while second place was undisputedly taken by Lorena Wiebes, another SD Worx athlete, with her usual grit Marta Bastianelli took another good third place in the sprint.

These were the words of Marta Bastianelli after the end of the race: “I am very happy for Lotte Kopecky because today was a difficult day for her and she deserved this victory because she had a special dedication to make. It was a very nervous race with a lot of crashes and I am very sorry about that because often the younger riders take too many risks and it is just not worth it. I am happy for me and the team and I hope to continue to get good results. In the sprint there wasn't much else to do, Lorena Wiebes is the strongest at the moment and I am happy to have finished behind these two strong youngsters. Now I want to continue my northern campaign from De Panne and up to Roubaix in a positive way and I am ready, with all my teammates, to give it our all”.

(ph. Sport Cycling Agency)