In a bumpy and fast classic, the seventh edition of the women's race in Bruges-De Panne came down to a bunch sprint after 154 kilometres. On the flat course, the crosswind hoped for by the breakaway riders did not play a role, allowing the peloton to control the race. In the Flemish coastal town of De Panne, Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) lived up to her role as co-favourite and clearly had the fastest legs. The Italian won by more than a bike length ahead of Charlotte Kool (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL). After the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Balsamo thus wins her second classic in just four days.
Balsamo doesn't give Kool a chance
For long stretches of the race, the dsm-firmenich PostNL team set the pace and made life difficult for the breakaway riders. The team had a clear plan: to win the bunch sprint with top sprinter Charlotte Kool. The Dutch team was still in the lead on the final right-hand bend. Kool then launched her attack 150 metres before the finish. But Balsamo, who was right behind her, passed her on the left and left her standing with explosive kicks. As a result, Charlotte Kool had to settle for second place, while third place went to Daria Pikulik (Human Powered Health), who crossed the finish line just ahead of Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ).
I am very happy about the win. I would like to thank my team-mates because they did a fantastic job. The race couldn't have gone any better. - Elisa Balsamo in the winner interview
Bruges-De Panne 2024 Women - Results: The top 10
- Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) 3:49:56
- Charlotte Kool (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +0:00
- Daria Pikulik (Human Powered Health) +0:00
- Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ) +0:00
- Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco) +0:00
- Chloe Dygert (Canyon//SRAM Racing) +0:00
- Emma Norsgaard (Movistar) +0:00
- Anniina Ahtosalo (Uno-X Mobility) +0:00
- Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar (AG Insurance - Soudal Team) +0:00
- Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ-Suez) +0:00
How Bruges-De Panne 2024 went for the women
It was only after more than ten kilometres that the peloton saw the first serious attempts by female riders to break away in a breakaway group. Nathalie Bex (Chevalmeire) was the first to break away after 45 kilometres. The Belgian built up a lead of almost two minutes, but 96 kilometres before the finish her solo effort was over - she was swallowed up by the peloton.
Race never comes to rest
Further attacks followed: first Alessia Vigilia (FDJ-Suez) and Lisa van Helvoirt (VolkerWessels Women's Pro Cycling Team) attempted a breakaway, which ended 17 kilometres later. Gladys Verhulst-Wild (FDJ-Suez) then rode to the front and tried her luck as a soloist.
Wind conditions make it difficult for the runaways
Due to the flat course, the breakaway riders were hoping for crosswinds so that the peloton would have problems controlling the race. However, the wind was not a factor this time, so the breakaway riders had problems pulling away. Attacks were constantly being mounted, but the peloton always parried them. Verhulst-Wild was also caught again after a few kilometres.
High speed in the peloton
Big names such as Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) were extremely aggressive in the race and wanted to escape from the peloton with all their might, but were simply not let go by the peloton. As the race progressed, more and more riders had to let go and were no longer able to keep up with the high pace of the peloton.
With 23 kilometres to go, it was Nina Buijsman from the active FDJ-Suez team who built up a lead of over a minute. Seven kilometres before the finish, however, her escape attempt was also history. The signs were therefore pointing to a bunch sprint.
In the final sprint, Elisa Balsmo came out on top ahead of Charlotte Kool with her explosive attack. The sprinter from the German team Canyon//SRAM Racing Chloe Dygert finished sixth. Last season's outstanding team SD Worx-Protime was not at the start.
