Melanie Rowe soloes to victory in the U17 Women's Race
Scottish rider Melanie Rowe triumphed in Oudenaarde after an impressive 20-kilometre solo breakaway. Top favourite in the U17 women's category, Anna Meeusen, sprinted to second place. Britain's Peggy Knox completed the podium.
Under a grey sky, the U17 women gathered at 9:00 a.m. under the starting arch for their 53 km race. The wet cobblestones of the Holleweg caused chaos as early as the first lap, with a crash breaking the peloton into pieces.
Mid-race, a lead group of around thirty riders formed, gaining a 40-second advantage over the fragmented peloton. Among them were top favourite Anna Meeusen and Flemish-Brabant Champion Lobke Spinnoy, who was plagued by mechanical issues.
The first real selection in that group came during the second ascent of the Achterberg, around 20 km from the finish. On the descent, two-time Scottish champion Melanie Rowe broke away. She quickly created a gap and soon had a 10-second lead.
At the foot of the Varent climb, with 13 km to go, Rowe’s lead had grown to 30 seconds over the chasing group, where no effective counterattack emerged. In the descent of the Wolvenberg, Lentel Huys attempted a last-ditch attack, but her effort was neutralized. The powerful Rowe didn't give an inch and extended her lead even further. In the final kilometre, the skies opened up, but the rain did little to deter the determined Scot.
A full minute ahead of the rest, Rowe raised her arms in a triumphant solo victory. Behind her, the sprint for second place was won by top favourite Anna Meeusen, ahead of Britain’s Peggy Knox, who took third.
