Top five for Julia Kopecky in Essen, stage victory for Ilse Pluimers in Amersfoort

On Saturday afternoon, Julia Kopecky secured a top-five position for AG Insurance – Soudal Quick-Step during the Exact Cross in Essen on Antwerp soil. In a fierce competition, she maintained her fourth position throughout the entire race. Despite the rain, wind, and mud, the top four was quickly determined. Julia crossed the finish line after 42 minutes and 14 seconds, earning this honorary placement, trailing behind the Belgian winner Norbert Riberolle by 1 minute and 53 seconds.

“Nice to be able to ride in the spotlight today. I felt well recovered after the cross in Ruchpen. The course was quite challenging, but I managed the race well and am once again happy with how I felt during the competition. It's a shame it wasn't a podium finish, but perhaps that will come later this season," added Julia.

Ilse Pluimers, on the other hand, participated in the National Cyclocross Race in the Dutch city of Amersfoort. In this 42nd edition, Ilse managed to ride to victory. On a course spanning more than two kilometers, Ilse could leave her competitors behind amid challenging weather conditions. After 51 minutes and 49 seconds, she crossed the finish line, securing an 11-second lead over Anniek Mos and just over two minutes ahead of Isa Pieterse, older sister of Puck Pieterse,  who finished in third place.

“I had a challenging start, quickly falling behind with a considerable gap of about 30 seconds to the leader, but I found my rhythm well. Each lap, I closed in on the frontrunner, and in the final lap, I managed to pull away from her. The one who can endure sore legs the longest is the winner," said Ilse Pluimers.