Fee Knaven wins Stage 1 of GP Vermarc!

Fee Knaven rode to a solo victory on stage one of GP Vermarc and with it taking the overall lead of the race.

Covering 11 laps of a circuit around Rotselaar, the race covered a total of 70.4km. The AG Insurance Soudal Quick-Step team put on an attacking display from the off, in an attempt to make a hard race. However, strong winds made escaping hard, and it wasn’t until the intermediate sprint point that Fee was able to break clear and build up a substantial enough lead that would see her solo to victory, finishing ahead of Auke De Buysser, who will join our team next year.

The story of the day was told by DS Christian Kos, who said ‘Our riders made a very sporty race. We were always in the attack, but due to the strong wind it was not easy to get to the front or to ride away from the peloton. In every attempted escape, there was always one of our girls.

In the last intermediate sprint, Fee managed to pull through and get away. She managed to build up a lead to the finish in order to cross the finish line solo.’

Adding to this and speaking of her victory, Knaven said, ‘The whole team worked hard together all day. From lap 1 we took turns attacking, but without result - they wouldn't let us ride. I had decided to go on the last lap, after the intermediate sprint. Luckily this worked, I got away alone and I was able to keep this up for the last round. I rode to the finish alone, thanks to my teammates who were able to stop any attempts to catch me. This victory of course feels very good and I am very happy with it.’

The second and final stage of the race takes place tomorrow.