Team SD Worx-Protime secures a full podium sweep in Antwerp Port Epic

Team SD Worx-Protime delivered a standout performance in the Antwerp Port Epic. In the city where title sponsor SD Worx has its headquarters, the Dutch WorldTour team claimed the entire podium. Femke Markus won with a solo of 28 K, behind Marta Lach & Femke Gerritse sprinted to 2nd & 3rd. “We made it a very tough race. This race in these conditions suited us, but we didn’t expect to go one-two-three,” said Femke Markus, Marta Lach & Femke Gerritse.

Femke Markus: “I’m incredibly proud of this win. As a team, we love gravel racing. We made it a hard race. I saw the right moment to attack. But once I was away, I thought: 27 kilometres is still a long way. It’s great that I was able to finish it off. The conditions were tough with the heat, but that’s the same for everyone. I probably drank seven bottles and poured three over my head. The heat played into our hands to make it a hard race.”

“We were constantly in control. We consistently had our cards at the front and had multiple riders who could win here. To finish it off with a full podium is fantastic. This victory will stay with me.”

Femke Gerritse: “This is a fantastic result. We had the right riders up the road. When Femke Markus went clear, we were in a luxury position. Marta Lach and I both have very fast legs and we were both allowed to go for the sprint. To complete the podium like that is really great.”

Marta Lach: “This is a special day. We can all handle a bit of gravel and we enjoy the chaos. That saves energy. We played it perfectly as a team. The results in the Vuelta a Burgos inspired us and we truly believed we could win today. But we didn’t expect to go one-two-three, no. We can be very proud of this.”