Feature photo credit: Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

An impressive victory for Finnish Sprinter, Lotta Lepistö of team Cervélo-Bigla at the Gent-Wevelgem race this weekend.

The hilly 145km route really took its toll on the riders as a prominent break was made at the half way point, effectively splitting the peloton. The one-day classes event culminated with a bunch of more than 40 riders sprinting to the finish.

“The finish was hectic. There was headwind, and I was waiting, waiting, waiting, and in the final 100 metres, I was just pushing as hard as I could. It hurt my lungs, my legs, everywhere.” – Lotta Lepistö (Cervélo-Bigla)

The race action kicked off as the peloton attacked the first couple of climbs. It was the gruelling first ascent of the Kemmelberg climb that showed a slight split in the peloton. Then the descent toward the Monteberg opened the gap further where three groups had formed with a considerable 20 second lead on the front group.

The three groups fell back into the peloton and despite a number of hopeful attacks throughout the race, it was in the final 25km that the peloton riders began to make their final manoeuvres.

The close contest was won by Finnish Champion Lotta Lepistö (Cervélo-Bigla), with Jolien D’hoore (Wiggle High5) and Coryn Rivera (Sunweb) in third.

1    Lotta Lepistö (Fin) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team
2    Jolien D’Hoore (Bel) Wiggle High5
3    Coryn Rivera (USA) Team Sunweb Women
4    Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Alé Cipollini