Scheldeprijs Women: Charlotte Kool sprints to victory in crash-marred final

Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech claimed victory at the Scheldeprijs Women’s race in Schoten, ending a streak of three consecutive second-place finishes in the event. The Dutch sprinter capitalised on a well-executed lead-out by teammates Millie Couzens and Mylène De Zoete, launching her final sprint in the last 150 metres to outpace Nienke Veenhoven (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek). The race concluded amidst a chaotic finale, with a significant crash occurring within the final two kilometres that disrupted the peloton and reduced the leading group. The 130.3km race featured a flat course with four passages over the cobbled Broekestraat sector, which proved to be the main challenge. An early breakaway of seven riders gained a three-minute advantage before being reeled in with 50km remaining. The peloton, led by several strong teams including Lidl-Trek, SD Worx-Protime, and UAE Team ADQ, controlled the race thereafter, setting the stage for a tactical sprint finish. Multiple crashes and aggressive moves characterised the closing laps, including a late solo attack by Femke Gerritse, who was caught just over five kilometres from the finish. Kool expressed relief and satisfaction after finally securing a win at Scheldeprijs, praising her team’s effort and the timing of their lead-out. She also acknowledged the severity of the late crash and hoped all riders involved were unharmed. The incident, which took out a large portion of the peloton, left around 20 riders, including the main contenders, to contest the sprint. Fenix-Premier Tech’s ability to maintain enough riders for a strong lead-out was decisive in Kool’s triumph. The result marks Kool’s 23rd professional victory and highlights her continued prominence in women’s sprinting. With the race’s flat profile and cobbled sectors, the event remains a key early-season test for sprinters and classics specialists alike. The crash-marred finale serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in high-speed sprints, emphasising the importance of positioning and team support in these decisive moments. Looking ahead, Kool’s win positions her as a rider to watch in upcoming sprint races on the calendar.