Greig Leach

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), in her rainbow jersey, uses the steepest section of the fabled cobbled climb of the Kapelmuur to launch her attack on the small group left at the front of the race. She gets a little daylight between herself and the others at first. But, it is Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) who is able to get back onto the World Champion’s wheel. Kopecky used this climb to ride solo to her win in 2023, and she couldn’t have been thrilled to see the former champion holding onto her on the climb. Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) lost a bit of ground on the climb, but quickly got back to the two leaders once on the smooth roads over the top.