Top ten for Marith Vanhove in Scheldeprijs

 

Top ten for Marith Vanhove in Scheldeprijs

A superb outing of our ambitious U23 team against the World Tour squads.

Marith Vanhove took a remarkable result in Wednesday’s Scheldeprijs, finishing eighth in the bunch sprint after three fast and intense hours. The youngest rider to crack the top ten at this edition of the Belgian one-day race, Marith impressed with the sprint she produced in Schoten – against some more seasoned riders – where Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) won.

The race was always going to end up in a bunch sprint, as numerous teams were interested in this outcome, and AG Insurance – Soudal U23 did a great job, remaining at all times well placed in the peloton as the speed gradually went up behind the breakaway. Put in an excellent position by her teammate Messane Brautigam going into the final kilometer, the 22-year-old finished as the best Belgian of the day on the way to her most impressive result of the season.

“Our team of youngsters was incredible today! They kept me perfectly positioned at the front the whole time and I was almost never alone out there. Things became really hectic on the last lap, but the girls helped me stay calm and out of trouble. Messane did an amazing lead-out in the finale, bringing me up a couple of spots, and it’s just crazy that I scored a top ten. I’m happy not just with this result, but also with the fact that the good feeling I had in training is being confirmed in races and that I could give something back to the team for all their incredible effort. It’s a result that definitely leaves me wanting for more”, an elated Marith said after the race.

“We are delighted with the way the girls rode today. They remained together in the peloton, the entire time where they needed to be, attentive, focused and calm. They handled themselves really well in the bunch in what is one of the most hectic finishes of the season. Marith finished off the great teamwork, but a big-shout-out also to Messane, who put in a huge effort in the last kilometers after crashing earlier in the race. It’s beautiful to see them being rewarded with an eighth place from such a quality field”, added AG Insurance – Soudal sports director Dani Christmas.