Nastya Kolesava delivered an impressive performance at the GP Lucien Van Impe in Belgium today, securing a strong second-place finish after a challenging race.

The 140km UCI 1.2 race finished on a demanding 8.7km circuit. The CANYON//SRAM Generation rider claimed a well-timed attack with 25km remaining and led the race solo until joined by one rider in the final 11km. The duo worked well together until the flamme rouge when Evy Kuijpers (FED) stopped taking turns. With the peloton hot on the pair’s heels, Kolesava forged to the line, finishing second in the sprint against Kuijpers and just five seconds ahead of the peloton.

RIDER REACTIONS

Nastya Kolesava: “Four girls went into the breakaway, and then the bigger teams chased to bring them back. We caught them at the final climb with three laps to go, so I decided to attack straight after. It worked well because everyone was tired.
With around 1km to go, Kuijpers told me she wouldn’t work anymore.

I saw the bunch behind us and decided to go full gas. She stayed on my wheel and overtook me in the last corner just 300m to go. That part is disappointing, but it was a really good experience, and in the end, I am happy to get on the podium.”

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