Wevelgem provided the setting for both the start and finish of the thirteenth edition of In Flanders Fields. In total, the riders had to cover 135 kilometers. After a relatively flat opening phase, the peloton headed toward the hill zone, where the Kemmelberg had to be climbed twice.  

A breakaway group of four riders shaped the early part of the race, but the peloton kept the quartet within reach. As the climbs approached, the breakaway was reeled in. On the ascent of the Baneberg, a select lead group formed and managed to push on. Daniek Hengeveld was part of this group but had to drop back on the final ascent of the Kemmelberg.  

Meanwhile, Veenhoven, who finished third in the Tour of Bruges last Thursday, ran into bad luck at an unfortunate moment. The 22-year-old Dutch rider was involved in a crash in the peloton and was unable to return to the race. The lead group, which included eventual winner Lorena Wiebes, stayed out of reach of the peloton.  

“I was in a good position in the lead group, but unfortunately I had to drop back on the final ascent of the Kemmelberg,” Hengeveld said afterward. “I had given a lot on the first climb, and I felt that later in the race. Back in the peloton, there was still hope we could come back, but the gap kept growing. In the final phase, we sprinted with the peloton for a place in the top ten, but that wasn’t our goal today. We’re now focusing on the next races.”  

Sports director Jos van Emden also reflected: “Nienke crashed at a very unfortunate moment, which meant she couldn’t compete in the finale. Daniek showed herself at the front today. Once she had to drop back on the Kemmelberg, it was very difficult to get back. We had high expectations for this race, so there is some disappointment. I’m satisfied with the way the riders raced. They gave everything.”