De Brabantse Pijl Women: breakthrough for Célia Gery as Frenchwoman clinches first pro win in small group sprint

Célia Gery secured a remarkable first professional victory at the De Brabantse Pijl Women’s race in Overijse, Belgium, by launching an early sprint in the closing metres to narrowly beat Mischa Bredewold. The 20-year-old French rider from FDJ United-SUEZ capitalised on a tactical finale, surprising the pre-race favourites in a small group sprint after a challenging 125km race featuring multiple breakaway attempts. Gery’s decisive move came just before the finish line, allowing her to hold off the strong Dutch rider from SD Worx-Protime, with Silvia Persico of UAE Team ADQ completing the podium. The race was animated by a series of breakaways and strategic efforts throughout the day. Initially, a ten-rider group escaped early on, but it was the duo of Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) and Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) who led the race in the final stages after bridging across to the front. Despite their efforts, cooperation faltered between them, and the peloton, driven by teams including SD Worx and Lidl-Trek, gradually reeled them back in. The decisive moment unfolded on the final climbs, where Van der Breggen was unable to shake Adegeest, and the lead was ultimately neutralised with just over a kilometre remaining. Gery reflected on her victory with pride, highlighting the strength and unity of her team. She acknowledged the crucial support from her teammates who worked tirelessly to close the gap to the leaders and praised the team’s belief in their collective chances of winning. Her early sprint was a calculated risk that paid off, demonstrating her tactical acumen and raw power. The win marks a significant breakthrough for the young rider, signalling her arrival on the professional scene and underlining FDJ United-SUEZ’s growing presence in women’s cycling. The outcome of De Brabantse Pijl Women underlines the depth of talent and strategic complexity in the women’s peloton. With established stars like Van der Breggen and rising talents such as Gery making headlines, the race showcased a blend of experience and youthful ambition. The victory will likely boost Gery’s confidence and position within her team, while also adding intrigue to upcoming races as teams continue to battle for supremacy in the classics season. The event also highlighted the importance of teamwork and timing, factors that remain decisive in the fast-evolving landscape of women’s professional cycling.