Lorena Wiebes secured another podium finish in Brugge-De Panne. As expected, the race was decided in De Moeren, where the European champion was attentive at the front. Wiebes was on her own in the group though, which meant she could not respond to every attack. Pfeiffer Georgi chose the right moment and raced to a decisive solo win, while Wiebes sprinted to third place. “I was too eager and started too early, but the form is good and that gives motivation for Gent-Wevelgem,” Wiebes said after the race.
In an echelon-filled edition of Brugge-De Panne, the wind was strong in De Moeren, after which an elite group of 11 separated themselves from the pack. World Tour leader Lorena Wiebes was present, but the European champion was isolated without her team. “At that moment we were just a bit too far, but Christine Majerus brought Lorena to the front, whereupon she made the jump. Unfortunately Christine couldn’t make the connection herself as well, so we couldn’t play the team game in the final,” said sports director Anna van der Breggen.
A front group of seven would decide who would win Brugge-De Panne, with only DSM still having a duo in front. “When Megan Jastrab attacked, I remounted her,” said Lorena Wiebes. “I did expect Pfeiffer Georgi’s attack thereafter, but my legs filled up so immediately after the effort to catch Jastrab back. The cooperation was then lost in the chase.”
Anna van der Breggen added, “Today it was extra difficult because we could only start with four. On a super day, Lorena can also remount Pfeiffer Georgi, but unfortunately that was not possible today.”
Georgi stayed in front, then Lorena sprinted for second place. “When I realised the win was gone, I really wanted to win the sprint for second place,” Lorena Wiebes said. “As a result, maybe I was just a bit too eager, because I attacked from too far away. I do regret that, but I am learning lessons from this. This gives a lot of confidence for Gent-Wevelgem. The form is obviously good.”
This form is evident. Despite not taking the win, this marked an impressive eighth podium place out of 10 days of racing in 2023 for the European champion.
