Late attack secures impressive third place for Nooijen in Dwars door Vlaanderen
# Nooijen’s Bold Move Earns Impressive Third Place at Dwars door Vlaanderen
The fourteenth edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen kicked off in Waregem, featuring a challenging 128-kilometre course packed with eight climbs and six cobbled sections. A seven-rider breakaway initially built a significant lead, but ultimately, they were caught before the final stretch of the race.
The race dynamic shifted dramatically on the Eikenberg, where Dutch rider Demi Vollering made a decisive move that split the peloton. Lieke Nooijen, showcasing her tenacity, managed to stay in the mix, positioning herself alongside a select group as they approached the finale. As they entered the last ten kilometres, Vollering and Marlen Reusser launched a breakaway, seemingly set for a showdown for the win.
Refusing to back down, Nooijen took matters into her own hands with an all-or-nothing attempt in the final kilometre. Seizing the opportunity while the leading pair were preoccupied with each other, she closed the gap and initiated her sprint. For a fleeting moment, it appeared Nooijen might clinch a stunning victory, but as the finish line drew near, both Reusser and Vollering surged past her.
“I could feel I still had some energy left in my legs, so I couldn’t wait too much longer,” expressed Nooijen, highlighting her drive and determination.
After the race, the mixed emotions were evident as she reflected on her performance: “I’m absolutely delighted with this. I gave it my all, but unfortunately it just wasn’t quite enough for the win. I knew I wasn’t the fastest sprinter in the group, so I had to try something to secure a podium place. It was a matter of finding the right moment.”
She continued, “At one point, I saw my chance and went full throttle. To my surprise, I saw Marlen and Demi closing in very quickly. I rode towards them, went for it and overtook them, but unfortunately they just managed to get past me. Had they waited a second longer, I would have won. Nevertheless, I’m very happy with my third place. This gives me confidence for the upcoming races.”
In the final results, Marlen Reusser claimed the victory, finishing at 03:09:12, with Demi Vollering closely behind. Nooijen’s strong finish earned her a well-deserved third place, marking a significant achievement in her cycling career.
### Final Results:
1. **Marlen Reusser** (Movistar Team) – 03:09:12
2. **Demi Vollering** (FDJ United – SUEZ) – +00:00:00
3. **Lieke Nooijen** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:00
Nooijen’s performance not only adds to her accolades but also sets an optimistic tone for her future races, proving that courage and strategic thinking can yield remarkable outcomes in competitive cycling.
