Lily Williams scored 4th place at GP Lucien Van Impe, once again showing her sprinting prowess to claim her seventh top ten of 2026 at the end of the 140 km one-day around Erpe-Mere, Belgium.
“I was happy to still do a good sprint even after putting in effort earlier in the race,” the 32-year-old said afterwards. “I considered going early from the bottom of the small rise to the sprint with about 700 meters to go, but there was enough wind to keep it together. I still opened it up early and got pipped right at the line for the podium, but overall, I’m really happy with the legs after the Tour and relieved to be back on flat ground.”
The Olympic gold medalist continued her run of strong form in sprints, once again using her strength in a rising finale. On Tuesday, Williams also performed at the Egmont Cycling Race Women, attacking inside the final stretch of the race before being caught, holding on for 12th.
“I went all-in again today with the plan to attack,” explained the 32-year-old. “But I tried a few times today, and it just was never the right combination or moment. “I had to decide whether to continue to attack or wait for the final.”
Unfortunately, sprinter Kathrin Schweinberger crashed earlier in the race, abandoning with some abrasions, resulting in a shift in the tactics. Williams could then count on the collective strength of the rest of the squad.
“I was happy to ride today a lot with Giada and Jente,” she says. “Giada is doing really well in the peloton after missing a large part of the season due to illness, and it’s great to have a young rider like Jente who is always in the right position and communicating well. I’m excited to see how each of them continues to progress.”
The team remains in Belgium for tomorrow’s Konvert Koerse one-day. A 127.6 km race, the 1.1 loops around West Flanders, taking in two sectors of cobbles before a five-lap circuit in Kortrijk that will once again suit powerful finishers.
GP Lucien Van Impe results
1 KOOL Charlotte – Fenix-Premier Tech 3:31:19
2 BRAND Lucinda – Lidl – Trek ”
3 VAN DER WOLF Babette – EF Education-Oatly ”
4 WILLIAMS Lily – Human Powered Health ”
5 JEFFERS Emma – Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team ”
6 UNEKEN Lonneke – VolkerWessels Cycling Team ”
7 JACKSON Alison – St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93 ”
8 ZANETTI Linda – Uno-X Mobility ”
9 STEIGENGA Nicole – AG Insurance – Soudal Team ”
10 BOLKS Florien – VolkerWessels Cycling Team ”
Photos: GettySport
