On March 1, 2025, Lotte Claes made headlines by clinching her first ever professional cycling victory at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, demonstrating the unpredictable dynamics of women's cycling. Her triumph took place amid expectations of familiar stars, yet it was the relatively unknown Claes who stole the show and rewrote the narrative of the race.
Claes, who rides for Arkéa-B&B Hotels, attributed her feelings of disbelief to the whirlwind of events leading up to her win: "It's crazy. I can't believe it. Wow." It was not just her first victory but also the culmination of her career transition from being both a nurse and part-time duathlete, as she had only taken up cycling professionally two years ago. "It's now my second year as a pro and before then I rode a bike for another two years, but before I did duathlon," stated Claes, reflecting on her unusual path to the podium.
What made Claes's win particularly remarkable was the strategy she employed. Agreeing to join the early breakaway just after the race's start, the small group was quickly catapulted to success when the main peloton, surprisingly complacent, failed to mount any significant chase. "We started here with an ambitious plan, but it was more about our sprinters and Classics specialists," she explained. "My job was to help them, but then we got a massive lead.
At one point, they held over 13 minutes on the chasing group, which was composed of seasoned competitors and champions, including Demi Vollering and Puck Pieterse. Claes, reflecting on the unexpected oblivion from the main teams, questioned, "I don't understand why they gave us so much time. Maybe the big teams thought they'd race full gas, but I don't know why. I don't think they'll give me 12 minutes next time, though.”
Throughout the race, Claes was conscious of her own limitations, noting, "I had to believe I could do it, because I'm not an explosive racer." Exhibiting determination and strategic thinking, she closed down the gap with her challenger before launching her sprint with 250 meters to go. Her push for victory was particularly stressful: "It was just pushing, pushing until the finish line. It was, I agree, the hardest 250 meters of my career to date." Claes's skillful navigation of the final moments secured her the victory over Aurela Nerlo, who finished close behind.
Claes's emotion at achieving her win was palpable during the subsequent podium ceremony, where she revealed the heartfelt shows of support from her teammates. "We have a really good team; they're all so friendly and kind. When I saw them crying and laughing at my win, my heart was melting," she shared, embodying not just her personal achievement, but also the significance for her entire team. "It's also very important for our team; we're not a huge team and don't have many victories, so this is good for them.”
Her victory may have seemed like luck to some, but Claes insists there’s much more at play, especially with regard to the changing dynamics of women's cycling. This win could signify more than just personal success; it reflects potential shifts within the sport as previous power structures change. "My job was to help them, but we worked well together," she noted about her breakaway companions, which is increasingly relevant as new teams and new strategies emerge.
To top it all off, once the celebration began, Claes found herself needing assistance from the seasoned Vollering to open the ceremonial champagne. "I've never had this experience of opening champagne before, so Demi helped me," she laughed, reflecting on the celebratory chaos enveloping her achieving this unexpected victory.
While many racing enthusiasts are left wondering how the established teams let such a moment slip away without strong leadership, Claes's win breathes fresh air of excitement and unpredictability within women's cycling. With excellent teamwork from Arkéa-B&B Hotels and road-savvy decisions, Claes and her peers have paved the way for themselves and set the stage for upcoming Classics—where surprises await at every corner.
Looking forward, it's feasible to anticipate this first spring Classic of the season could serve not only as Claes's crowning moment but also as inspiration to future riders who dare to break from the norm. Observers are already speculating how forthcoming races will play out, especially now with new dynamics at play and riders eager to seize new opportunities, just as Claes did on this unforgettable day.