Shari Bossuyt breaks the ice in Namur

The Belgian took her first victory of the year at the Grand Prix de Wallonie.

Shari Bossuyt powered to a spectacular maiden win in the AG Insurance – Soudal jersey Wednesday afternoon, when she became the team’s fifth different rider to taste success this year.

It all happened at the fourth edition of the Grand Prix de Wallonie, the 128.8km-long race that started from Soiron and travelled west over an undulating course sprinkled with three climbs, the most important of which was the Côte de la Citadelle de Namur, overlooking the Meuse river. Averaging 6% over two kilometers, but including some 8% ramps as well as a cobblestone section, the emblematic hill made for an entertaining finale.

The 25-year-old, who joined our squad just a couple of months ago, was part of a select group that entered the final kilometer of the race, and patiently waited for the last 100 meters to make her move. Once she hit the front, Bossuyt kept pushing, easing off just before the line to celebrate the biggest victory of her career, ahead of Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ) and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), who completed the podium.

“It’s an incredible win! I worked hard for this and this result shows that I am back. There was a lot of headwind today, which meant that everyone waited for the final climb, but even so, I stayed focused and attentive also on the penultimate hill. On the Citadelle, I remained calm and accelerated only after the last corner, knowing it was a bit flat and downhill from there. I had very good legs today and I am happy I could show this and repay the team for their confidence. It’s a great moment in my career and I will enjoy it”, an elated Shari said after the podium ceremony.