Ronde van Vlaanderen | Race Report

Ronde van Vlaanderen – MEN

The Men’s Program of Team Picnic PostNL took on the Ronde van Vlaanderen, with the peloton tackling 278 kilometres from Antwerp to Oudenaarde. Not long after the start in Antwerp, a 13-rider breakaway formed, with Julius van den Berg representing Team Picnic PostNL at the front. The group built an advantage of around five and a half minutes, but the gap began to fall as the peloton increased the pace when the race hit the Oude Kwaremont for the first time. On the Molenberg, just over 100 kilometres from the finish, a group of 16 riders including several pre-race favourites moved clear from the peloton.

With 78 kilometres to go, the chasing group bridged across to the breakaway, forming a 28-rider lead group, with Van den Berg still present at the front. The race exploded again on the second passage of the Oude Kwaremont with 56 kilometres remaining, where Tadej Pogačar launched an attack. After more than 220 kilometres in the break, Van den Berg had to let go of the front group but continued to battle on towards the finish. After an impressive all-day effort, Van den Berg lead Team Picnic PostNL home after a demanding edition of ‘Vlaanderens Mooiste’.

Ronde van Vlaanderen – WOMEN

Our Women’s Program lined up for the women’s edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, tackling 164 kilometres starting and finishing in Oudenaarde. Early in the race, a four-rider breakaway formed, which was later joined by two more riders. The six leaders built a maximum advantage of 5 minutes and 40 seconds as the peloton controlled the gap behind. The last breakaway riders were caught just inside the final 50 kilometres.

The race then ignited on the iconic Koppenberg, where the peloton split and a small front group formed. Pfeiffer Georgi was well positioned and made the selection for Team Picnic PostNL. As the race continued over the decisive climbs, the pace increased further on the Taaienberg, where Georgi had to let go of the front of the race. She continued to battle towards the finish in Oudenaarde, eventually leading the team across the line in 28th place after a hard-fought day on the Flemish roads.