Lorena Wiebes sprints to third place after fans in Brugge-De Panne, Pfeiffer Georgi wins solo

Lorena Wiebes sprints to third place after fans in Brugge-De Panne, Pfeiffer Georgi wins solo

"Satisfied with form, not sprint"

23/03/2023

Lorena Wiebes secured another podium finish in Brugge-De Panne. As expected, the race was decided in De Moeren, where the European champion was attentive at the front. Wiebes was isolated though, which meant she could not respond to every attack. Pfeiffer Georgi chose the right moment and won solo, Wiebes sprinted to third place. "I was too eager and started too early, but the form is good and that gives motivation for Gent-Wevelgem," she said.

Linked race Classic Brugge-De Panne - Linked cyclists Lorena Wiebes Lonneke Uneken Christine Majerus Anna Shackley - Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Anna van der Breggen Lars Boom

In a echelon-filled edition of Brugge-De Panne, the wind was strong in De Moeren, after which an elite group of 11 separated themselves. In it, World Tour leader Lorena Wiebes was also present, but the European champion was isolated. "At that moment we were just a bit too far, but Christine Majerus brought Lorena to the front, whereupon she made the jump. Unfortunately Christine couldn't make the connection herself as well, so we couldn't play the team game in the final," said sports director Anna van der Breggen. 

A front group of seven would decide who would win Brugge-De Panne, with only DSM still having a duo in front. "When Megan Jastrab attacked, I remounted her," said Lorena Wiebes. "I did expect Pfeiffer Georgi's attack thereafter, but my legs filled up so immediately after the effort to catch Jastrab back. The cooperation was then lost in the chase."

Anna van der Breggen: "Today it was extra difficult because we could only start with four. On a super day, Lorena can also remount Pfeiffer Georgi, but unfortunately that was not possible today." Georgi stayed in front, then sprinted for second place. "When I realised the win was gone, I really wanted to win the sprint for second place," Lorena Wiebes said. "As a result, maybe I was just a bit too eager, because I attacked from too far away. I do regret that, but I am learning lessons from this. This gives a lot of confidence for Gent-Wevelgem. The form is obviously good." The European champion thus took her eighth podium finish out of 10 race days in 2023.

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