Daria Pikulik and her Human Powered Health teammates showed impressive cohesion throughout the Omloop van Borsele to set up a reduced sprint finale, from which the Pole was able to grab second place on the day.
The typically challenging conditions of the northern classics had a significant impact on the race, with a small group of 13 getting clear with 60 kilometers remaining of the stage. It was this group, containing four Human Powered Health riders, which would eventually contest the finish.
With around 35 kilometers remaining, Audrey Cordon-Ragot launched a bold solo attack and opened up a decent margin on the chasers. This allowed Pikulik to rest in the wheels while others made the effort to bring back her lone teammate off the front.
“We played our race from the beginning, attacking often to split up the bunch,” Pikulik said, “We got four in the front group and we were attacking all the time. We rode a perfect race but in the end, we just got beaten by the best rider on the day.”
Cordon-Ragot also took positives from today’s performance.
“We were battling against someone strong today,” she said. “It’s not a shame when you do everything you can, I don’t believe we have to have any regrets. We were fighting hard and everyone had an opportunity to try for the win.”
Pikulik also took time to thank the support staff for their work in supporting her and her teammates.
Omloop van Borsele results
1 VAN ROOIJEN Sofie – VolkerWessels
2 PIKULIK Daria – Human Powered Health
3 BACKSTEDT Elynor – Lidl-Trek
4 CORDON-RAGOT Audrey – Human Powered Health
5 SOUREN Scarlett – VolkerWessels
6 VAN ZUTHEM Cecilia – Fenix Deceuninck Development
7 WILLIAMS Lily – Human Powered Health
8 KNAVEN Mirre – AG Insurance-NXTG U23 Team
9 SAP Julie – Fenix Deceuninck Development
10 JOORIS Febe – AG Insurance-NXTG U23 Team
