In rainy conditions, it took a long time for a breakaway to form. At 60 kilometers, one rider took the lead. In the chase, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders showed themselves several times, and Nooijen jumped toward the leader.

With 40 kilometers to go, the 23-year-old Dutch rider left her breakaway partner behind. Nooijen then proved to be the strongest by far and arrived solo with a large lead in Zottegem, where she was allowed to take the win. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women, it is the sixteenth victory of the season.

“The plan was to try it on the attack today,” Nooijen says. “It was a tough race, but I soon noticed that I had good legs. When I went on the attack, I knew that with Nienke, we still had an asset in the peloton. Fortunately, with my time-trial skills, I was soon able to build up my lead. It's really nice to be able to win this way.”

In July, Nooijen already managed to celebrate three wins in the Princess Anna Vasa Tour. Today, Nooijen wins for the fourth time this season. “I didn't expect to be doing so well already. In Poland, I already had a good level; after that, I kept training hard, and fortunately, I was able to keep my level high. The fact that I can now win again is very nice. I hope I can continue my level in the coming races.”