Sprinter Kathrin Schweinberger displayed consummate resilience to score third place at Konvert Kortrijk Koerse in Belgium, bouncing back to a podium finish a day after a crash took the 29-year-old out of the GP Lucien Van Impe.
Schweinberger was still sporting road rash beside the race winner Sofie Van Rooijen (UAE Development Team L’IMAD) and second place Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech), with her recovery a resounding testament to her strength of character and that of the race staff.
“It was a hard day, especially not being in the best condition after the crash and having a flat tire mid-race, but I really appreciate that the team still gave me the opportunity to go for the sprint,” Schweinberger said afterwards. “The rest of the team always had my back today, and so I really appreciate that.”
In heavy rain, Schweinberger finished strongly at the end of the 127.6 km race around Kortrijk, Belgium, to claim her second podium of 2026, atop the Factor ONE aero race bike.
“The ONE was great,” she beamed. “I trust it fully in the corners and on the wet road, especially.”
Backed up by Giada Borghesi, Jente Koops, Wiktoria Pikulik, Katia Ragusa, Lily Williams and Silvia Zanardi, Schweinberger launched into the sprint having navigated two early cobbled sectors and five laps of a finishing circuit.
“Lily did a really great job leading me out,” explained Schweinberger. “She could also have gone for a result, so I hope I can give back the same dedication.”
Konvert Kortrijk Koerse brought an end to this racing block in Belgium, with the team coming away with 12th at the Egmont Cycling Race Women, fourth in GP Lucien Van Impe and today’s podium.
Konvert Kortrijk Koerse results
1 VAN ROOIJEN Sofie – UAE Development Team L’IMAD
2 KOOL Charlotte – Fenix-Premier Tech
3 SCHWEINBERGER Kathrin – Human Powered Health
Photos: GettySport
