Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) showcased her supremacy in sprinting yet again, storming to a clear-cut win at the Copenhagen Sprint. The Dutch rider crossed the line multiple bike lengths ahead of her rivals, confirming her reputation as the fastest finisher in the women’s peloton.
Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) secured second place, while Chiara Consonni (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) narrowly edged out Charlotte Kool (Picnic PostNL) to round out the podium in third.
Despite a breakaway forming early in the race, the pack eventually neutralized it, setting the stage for a high-speed showdown on the trio of closing laps in central Copenhagen. A crash on the final circuit fragmented the field, but Wiebes remained unshaken, perfectly delivered to the front by teammate Barbara Guarischi.
“It’s a great feeling,” Wiebes said following her 104th career victory. “The atmosphere was electric – every town we passed had supporters cheering us on. Racing through the city with so many people watching was really special.”
Wiebes, the reigning European champion, navigated the final lap flawlessly. Though SD Worx was one rider down without Blanka Vas, the team adapted. “I left a small gap behind Barbara [Guarischi], which let someone slip in between us, but she did an incredible job leading me out. I launched a little early, but better that than too late,” Wiebes explained.
The 151-kilometre race began in Roskilde and meandered through North Zealand before reaching the Danish capital. The finale featured three circuits of 10.3km through downtown Copenhagen and Nørrebro. Along the route, three intermediate sprints offered points for a secondary classification.
Meis Poland (VolkerWessels) initiated an early move near Frederikssund to take the first town sprint and joined a four-rider break with Julia Borgström (AG Insurance-Soudal), Britt de Grave (DD Group), and April Tacey (Coop-Repsol). At one point, the quartet gained just over a minute’s lead, but their gap started to shrink with 80km remaining.
Poland attempted to take the second town sprint in Ganløse but was outpaced by Tacey, Borgström, and De Grave. Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the peloton after a large road divider caused a mass crash, bringing down more than a dozen riders—including Balsamo and four Lidl-Trek teammates. Several others, including Blanka Vas, Cindy Pomares, and Nora Tveit, were forced to abandon.
Shortly after, another crash occurred when a rider struck a haybale protecting a bollard, sending more riders to the ground. Among those unable to continue were Elynor Bäckstedt (UAE Team ADQ), and the Pikulik sisters from Human Powered Health, Daria and Wiktoria.
With 50km left, Poland made a solo bid to reach the final town sprint, but Tacey soon caught and passed her to take the honors in Rødovre. The peloton caught Tacey shortly after, on the climb at Valby Bakke.
From there, the sprinters’ squads clamped down on the race, keeping the pace high to prevent late attacks. A crash at 8.5km to go—on the cobbles of Adelgade—caused another shakeup, leaving only around 30 riders at the front. Though some managed to rejoin, the race was now set for a reduced bunch sprint.
Picnic PostNL took charge with 2km to go, with Josie Nelson, Pfeiffer Georgi, and Megan Jastrab leading out Kool. Georgi pushed the pace through the penultimate turn, but it stretched the line and created a slight gap. Lidl-Trek’s train surged up with Fleur Moors and Clara Copponi towing Balsamo forward. Guarischi timed her move perfectly, overtaking Kool’s wheel and positioning herself and Wiebes for the final stretch.
As the finish loomed on Fredens Bro, Guarischi launched with 550 metres to go. Kool tucked in behind, followed by Wiebes, who had Balsamo and Consonni fighting for space behind her. Wiebes exploded from the slipstream with 200 metres to go. Kool hesitated briefly—enough for Wiebes to power clear. Balsamo and Consonni tried to match her speed, but Wiebes had already sealed the win with her trademark acceleration.
HIGHLIGHTS
RESULTS
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