Charlotte Kool wins the bunch sprint for a top ten at a wet and muddy Le Samyn Des Dames, despite an epic effort from the team to close the gap to the five-strong breakaway. Missing out on the early move, Rachele Barbieri, Franzi Koch and Abi Smith worked hard to bring the race back together, controlling the bunch for more than 80 kilometres and ultimately coming within metres of the group at the finish.
Kool was pragmatic at the finish, “We knew from the beginning it was going to be difficult as the ones to watch, and the other teams did watch us. We weren’t sharp in the opening kilometres and as a consequence we had to chase for the rest of the race but the girls were really impressive. Unfortunately in the end we missed out by seconds, but I’m happy with my form after the flu and the only way from here is up.”