Daria Pikulik scored her sixth podium finish of the season sprinting to second place at GP Mazda Schelkens in Belgium.
After an impressive effort from her lead-out train, Pikulik was delivered inside the final kilometer of the 11-lap 129km route, battling shoulder-to-shoulder with eventual winner Martina Fidanza (CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling).
“The lead-out was excellent,” she said. “I want to win, I’m a winner but I’m still proud of the job and the team. I’m happy to be second and I hope we are on the way back to the level we know we can compete on to achieve the results we know we can.”
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Human Powered Health controlled proceedings throughout the day. Wiktoria Pikulik, Katia Ragusa, and Audrey Cordon-Ragot covered moves in the early stages before a strong final lead-out and a mighty effort from Alice Wood.
“Alice was really strong today, her pull was impressive,” Pikulik said of the Brit’s turn on the front that included pulling back a late attack from Jeanne Korevaar (Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team) across a section of cobbles.
Pikulik’s final lieutenant was Marit Raaijmakers, who had come straight from the Vuelta a Burgos stage race the day before, to guide the 27-year-old through the finale. Dropping her off inside the barriers, Pikulik then weaved her way up for the run to the line.
“Maybe the right side was the wrong side because I was closed by other riders so I needed to fight for the position,” she explains of her sprint. “The last period has been difficult for us with health problems or crashes so it’s really important to get the podium today for the confidence and good feelings going into the next races.”
Next, Pikulik and the sprint squad head to England for the three-day Women’s WorldTour Ride London from May 24–26.
“We will try our best to bring the results that we hope for,” she said. “I feel pretty good so let’s see what we can do. I’m really excited for my first time there.”
GP Mazda Schelkens results
1 FIDANZA Martina – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling 2:59:48
2 PIKULIK Daria – Human Powered Health ”
3 FIORIN Sara – UAE Development Team ”
4 VANDENBULCKE Jesse – De Ceuster-Bonache cycling team ”
5 TRUYEN Marthe – Fenix-Deceuninck ”
6 SOUREN Scarlett – VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling Team ”
7 DE CLERCQ Katrijn – Lotto Dstny Ladies ”
8 RÅNES BYE Camilla – Team Coop – Repsol ”
9 GILLESPIE Lara – UAE Development Team ”
10 SCHWEINBERGER Kathrin – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling ”
