Verhulst-Wild fourth after strong team performance on opening road stage

AG Insurance - Soudal opened the first road stage of the Ladies Tour with an impressive collective display, as Gladys Verhulst-Wild sprinted to fourth place after a perfectly executed team effort in Knokke.

The team took control of the race in the final 20 kilometres, riding at the front of the peloton and setting up an excellent lead-out for the uphill finish on De Wandelaar. Alex Manly delivered Verhulst-Wild into the final metres in an ideal position, allowing the French rider to contest the sprint for the podium. She eventually crossed the line in fourth place after a fast finish.

The day was unfortunately overshadowed by a crash inside the final 1.5 kilometres, in which Marthe Goossens was involved. Goossens was able to remount and finish the stage. The team is continuing to assess her condition and will provide a medical update in due course.

“It was a good day where we, as a team, did everything we could to put Gladys in the perfect position for the finish, and we executed that plan really well,” said Sports Director Fien Delbaere. “Unfortunately, the finale was overshadowed by a crash inside the last one and a half kilometres. We believe there was a podium finish within reach, but despite that, I'm satisfied with how we approached and raced this first stage. We will continue to assess Marthe's condition. She was able to finish the stage, and we will provide a further update in due course.”

Verhulst-Wild was pleased with both her own performance and the work of her teammates.

“For the final 600 metres I was on the wheel of Alex Manly, who positioned me perfectly,” she said. “After that, I'm not entirely sure what exactly happened, but I held my line and had third place in my sights. In the end, I finished fourth on De Wandelaar in Knokke. I'm satisfied with the result. There are still several stages to come and, as a team, we're highly motivated to leave our mark on this race.”