Mauritius National Champion Kim Le Court achieved yet another impressive result with a stellar performance in one of the calendar’s toughest races, the 169km Ronde van Vlaanderen. The 29-year-old, now in her second World Tour season, secured a well-deserved fifth place in this year’s 22nd edition, an accomplishment made even more significant as it followed her only second appearance at the Flemish Monument.
In Oudenaarde, Kim showcased her speed, outpacing all riders in the chasing group, arriving around a minute behind winner Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime). This top-five finish came just two weeks after she similarly placed in Milano-Sanremo, the season’s first Monument.
“The team believed in me, and I believed in myself, so I’m proud of my performance today. I’m still learning and gaining experience in these races, especially regarding positioning on the climbs. Considering this is just my second professional season, I feel happy with a top five finish. I am confident I can continue to improve and look forward to returning here to compete for a podium,” Kim reflected at the finish line.
Another standout from AG Insurance – Soudal, Nicole Steigenga, also delivered an impressive performance on the challenging roads of Flanders. From the start, she attacked alongside six other riders, forming a breakaway that gained a maximum advantage of seven minutes. The 27-year-old Dutch rider, who recently finished seventh in Nokere Koerse, surged ahead with 52 kilometers to go, remaining in front after the tough Koppenberg climb until several teams caught her in the last 40 kilometers.
“My goal was to be in the early break, which I accomplished after a fast start. Initially, I didn’t feel that strong, but as riders dropped out, I realized my strength. The plan was to survive the breakaway and assist Kim, but I experienced cramps that prevented me from doing that. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic experience to be at the front and hear the cheers from the fans,” a pleased Nicole shared in Oudenaarde.