Six 2021 races for Movistar Team; six top-ten results

Danish champion from Movistar Team down into early crash alongside Aude Biannic; still able to fight into peloton sprint behind winner Pieters (SDW).

Former European champion Amy Pieters (SD Worx) won Wednesday’s demanding 2nd edition of Nokere Koerse (UCI ProSeries), with strong winds, cold and rain over its 124km course in Belgium making things even harder for the riders that tackled its eight cobbled sectors + six climbs of the well-known Nokereberg.

Pieters bested Grace Brown (BEX, 2nd) and Lisa Klein (CSR, 3rd) as the trio went ahead of the peloton into the final loops around the finish, with the 60-rider bunch unable to bring them back. The Movistar Team was reaching that phase of the race will four of its riders still on course, following a difficult start with a crash for Emma Norsgaard and Aude Biannic. A blow to her ankle and some bruises were sustained by the Frenchwoman, who would soon DNF due to pain, while the Danish champion suffered a wound to her left knee yet was able to continue.

Emma, supported by González, Guarischi and -in the late part- Jelena Erić, fought until the very end inside the main group to finish in 8th place, fifth from the pursuit group and once again within the best in her stellar 2021 early season. The Movistar Team now travels to Italy to compete at the second round of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, the Trofeo Binda on Sunday.

Cover picture (c): Photo Gomez Sport