Pfeiffer Georgi claims 5th at Omloop after strong team ride

The Classics campaign got underway this afternoon at its traditional “Opening Weekend” and a tricky Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. As usual, the bunch was faced with a testing parcous that was back loaded with climbs and cobbles, including the famous Muur van Geraardsbergen, before the finish in Ninove.

Riding well as a unit, the team had the goal of keeping finisher Pfeiffer Georgi as fresh as possible throughout the day ahead of the finale. Elise Uijen, Daniek Hengeveld and Charlotte Kool did some strong early work; before Megan Jastrab and Franziska Koch did incredible turns to up the pace and make sure Georgi started the Muur at the front of the peloton. The pace was so high that Georgi and eventual race winner Lotte Kopecky could break free from the bunch, before Georgi had to let go of the wheels halfway up as Kopecky pushed on the pace once more.

Things would regroup ahead of and over the final cobbled ascent of the Bosberg with Georgi in a reduced chasing group of around 25 behind Kopecky. In the sprint for the podium spots, Georgi launched her sprint from deep and powered on the pedals; fighting all the way to the line for a fifth place finish – a good result after some strong riding by the whole team.

Speaking after the race Georgi said: “All the girls were so strong today. From the beginning we set out to make an impact in the crosswinds. At all our key points we were always in position and I was protected all day; especially into Molenberg and when it started to split I was in a position to follow. Physically I felt really good. I tried to follow Kopecky on the Muur but couldn’t quite do it but still made it over in the chase group behind. It was a bigger group coming to the finish and in the end I could take fifth which we can be content with. Of course you will always look for more but I think it’s a good start and we showed today that we’re a really good team and it’s just the first classic so we have more that we can build on.”

Team DSM coach Albert Timmer added: “In general I think we can be satisfied. We wanted to do the final with Pfeiffer and we did just that, so we can be happy with the top five. We had hoped for a bit more wind and we did try something but it wasn’t strong enough. After that the rest of the team did a great job to protect and position Pfeiffer all the way into Geraardsbergen. She was with the best but just couldn’t follow Kopecky and from there on we focused on the sprint and ended with a fifth. We’re happy.”