NEWS 

The ‘cobbled classics’ season started off with female rider catching the back of mens peloton

Ride Media

Bigla Pro team’s Swiss rider, Nicole Hanselmann, set an early pace in the womens Omloop Het Nieuwsblad race this past weekend. The 27 year-old Hanselmann launched an attack 7km into the race, setting herself up for a 30km solo break. She then soon surprised the race organizers by catching the back of the mens peloton who had started 10 minutes earlier. Organisers had to neutralise the women’s race to create a gap between the two races.

NINOVE, BELGIUM – MARCH 02: Start / Nicole Hanselmann of Switzerland and Team Bigla / Peloton / during the 13th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2019, Women a 122,9km race from Gent to Ninove / @OmloopHNB / Flanders Classic / on March 02, 2019 in Ninove, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

“Today was the first spring classic in Belgium. I attacked after 7km, and was alone in the break for around 30km…but then a awkward moment happend and I almost saw the back of the men’s peloton… Maybe the other women and me were too fast or the men too slow🙈
After the neutralization, I was caught up again and finished the race on the 74th place. ”  Nicole Hanselman on her Instagram page