Nobert Riberolle had twice finished second in the “National” and third again last year.
However, everything started badly for the rider from the Crelan-Corendon team with a botched start and a change of bike on the first lap which relegated her to twentieth position. The big favorite, however, managed to join the leaders Laura Verdonschot, Alicia Franck, Marthe Truyen and Julie Brouwers at the end of the initial round.
Norbert-Riberolle, who celebrated her 26th birthday on Tuesday, did not delay and went on the attack from the second loop. She entered the 3rd lap with an 8 second lead over Brouwers and 9 over Verdonschot. One lap later the gaps had increased to 26 and 27 seconds from Verdonschot and Brouwers, and to 42 and 45 seconds as they approached the final lap. The positions remained identical in the last contested in the fog.
