The Baloise Ladies Tour started with a prologue in Vlissingen Wednesday evening. Thursday the peloton was active around Zwevegem. Thalita de Jong was our top finisher in both stages.
A short prologue over 2,6 kilometres was the first assignment for the riders in the Baloise Belgium Tour. Thalita de Jong stopped the clock after 3 minutes and 14 seconds, which was the eleventh time of the day. One day later several riders attacked in the first stage, but with 10 kilometres to all came back together. A big crash at 4,5 kilometres – with Valerie Demey involved – from the finish splintered the peloton. In the sprint Charlotte Kool took the stage win, De Jong delivered a solid sprint and finished sixth. In the overall classification Kool leads with 7 seconds advantage on Lucinda Brand. De Jong follows in a seventh place, 21 seconds behind Kool.
“I am satisfied with yesterday`s prologue. It wasn`t easy to stay in the time trial position with the hard wind at the coastline. I was happy with my time and result. Today we tried to open up the race with some attacks. We wanted to prevent a bunch sprint, but the peloton was in control the whole time. I also tried a few times in the final 40 kilometres, but also without luck. In the sprint there was no stopping Kool, but I am satisfied with my sixth place. The team was good today and we will aim for some more good results the next days”, De Jong told after the stage.