Kathrin Schweinberger continued her strong form in the Northern European summer one-day races, sprinting to fourth place at Dwars door de Westhoek in Belgium.
The Austrian champion and teammate Marta Jaskulska were part of a race-defining 13-rider, 73-kilometer breakaway that contested the final sprint.
“Marta and I were in that breakaway, and with one lap to go, the attacks started,” Schweinberger explained afterwards. “We rode well and knew exactly what to do and didn’t need a lot of communication; Marta Lach and Shari Bossyut could save themself for the sprint as they had two and three teammates in that breakaway.”
Schweinberger opted for the back wheel of Bossuyt in the final sprint.
“She seemed the best option in my opinion, but with 700 meters to go, a gap opened, so I had to pass and close the gap,” Schweinberger says. “I came with a good speed, but it was just too late. It does hurt as I felt good for the sprint.”
Unfortunately, earlier in the race, Silvia Zanardi and Yurani Blanco were affected by a large crash, with Schweinberger also being caught up later on. Even so, the team still came together in strong numbers.
“Katia and Wiktoria did a good job in the beginning, but sadly Silvia and Yurani were in a crash and couldn’t come back,” Schweinberger explains. “Jente also did well and brought me back after I was in a crash, and of course, Marta was a really good companion in that breakaway.”
Regardless of the result, Schweinberger can take confidence from her building momentum going into the WorldTour one-day, Copenhagen Sprint, in Denmark on June 13.
“I’m feeling good and hope I can take this feeling and shape with me into the next races,” she said.
Dwars door de Westhoek results
1 VENTURELLI Federica – UAE Team ADQ 3:13:50
2 UNEKEN Lonneke – VolkerWessels Cycling Team ”
3 LACH Marta – Team SD Worx – Protime ”
4 SCHWEINBERGER Kathrin – Human Powered Health ”
5 VAN WERSCH Anna – Lotto Intermarché Ladies ”
6 MARKUS Femke – Team SD Worx – Protime ”
7 BOSSUYT Shari – AG Insurance – Soudal Team ”
8 SOUREN Scarlett – VolkerWessels Cycling Team ”
9 STEIGENGA Nicole – AG Insurance – Soudal Team ”
10 KOPECKÝ Julia – Team SD Worx – Protime ”
11 JASKULSKA Marta – Human Powered Health ”
Photo: GettySport
