Greig Leach

All race long Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) had been lurking around the back of the peloton allowing her teammates to chase down all of the attacks (it is their job since she is the team leader). Yet here she was showing herself just when being seen meant she was able to take out the victory in the eleventh edition of the women's Gent-Wevelgem. Just off camera it was last year's winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) taking second, with Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) taking the last step of the podium. Perhaps because she kept going in all of the break away attempts, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) had to settle for fouth on the day. Those waving the Belgium flag behind the mass sprint would have dearly prefered the Belgium champion to have one rather than the Italian in the World Champion's Rainbow Jersey.