Fouquenet thanks new employer with victory in Gullegem

Amandine Fouquenet took control of the Telenet Superprestige round in Gullegem. The French champion put her rivals under pressure on several occasions and claimed a solo victory ahead of Marion Norbert Riberolle and young Canadian Rafaelle Carrier.

Gullegem woke up under a thin blanket of snow, but the youth races ensured that the frozen ground gave way to a slightly muddy surface. Amandine Fouquenet, racing for the first time in the colours of Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw CT, took charge of the opening lap. The French champion was joined by Zoe Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto), Aniek van Alphen (777 Racing), Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon).

Fouquenet was clearly motivated to thank her new employer for their trust and went solo in the second lap. She built up a lead of seven seconds, but after a bike change Aniek van Alphen and Marion Norbert Riberolle were able to rejoin the front.

Norbert Riberolle and Fouquenet proved to be the strongest in the race, taking turns raising the pace. Van Alphen had to give up a few metres with every acceleration. The two national champions looked set to decide the outcome between themselves, but in the penultimate lap Norbert Riberolle was also forced to concede.

Fouquenet was therefore able to celebrate her second Telenet Superprestige victory of the season. Marion Norbert Riberolle had to settle for second place. Rafaelle Carrier (Cycling Canada) overtook Aniek van Alphen in the final metres of the race to take third place. The Dutch rider remains the overall leader in the Telenet Superprestige and heads to the final round in Middelkerke with a lead of 7 points over Fouquenet.