Marion Norbert Riberolle claimed victory at the Azencross Loenhout, delivering a strong performance to defeat rivals Sanne Cant and Imogen Wolff. The Belgian, part of the Crelan-Corendon team, won the fifth round of the Exact Cross Series on what turned out to be a misty and near-freezing afternoon, capitalizing on the opportunities presented during the race.
Reflecting on her win, Riberolle expressed her excitement, stating, "I am super happy. I decided in consultation with my coach and the team to start here because it was a chance for a win," according to WielerFlits.
Despite her triumph, the day didn't begin smoothly for Riberolle. She candidly admitted, "I didn't feel so good today during the recon. My legs were very heavy and it was not easy." She also confessed to feeling somewhat lethargic at the start of the race.
The race commenced with Riberolle and Cant forming part of the leading pack in the third of five laps. At this stage, Riberolle seized the opportunity to pull away from her competitors. Cant had fallen behind after hitting deep ruts on the course, allowing Riberolle to focus on the finish. Riberolle recounted, "I have a lot of respect for [Cant]. She used to be my idol. But in the final, I didn't wait and I took my chances. For my morale, it's very good to win here."
It was on the penultimate lap when Riberolle made her decisive move, capitalizing on Cant's slower pace after she suffered significant leg pain following her crash. Riberolle accelerated past Cant, creating enough of a gap to secure her victorious solo finish.
Cant eventually rolled across the finish line to take second place, finishing 23 seconds behind her teammate. Imogen Wolff, of Visma-Lease A Bike, rounded out the podium 40 seconds behind Riberolle's time.
Despite finishing second, Cant remained gracious and reflective. During her post-race interview, she was asked if she had cursed after her fall; she replied, "Why would I curse? I had a pretty hard fall, so honestly, I’m just happy I made it to the finish line." This shows the fierce competitive spirit both athletes carry.
Cant recounted the incident on the track, explaining, "It was quite tricky near the pit with deep tracks, and I slipped out of one and hit a post. That wasn’t so bad, but then I fell onto my bike, and my handlebars hit my upper leg. I basically rode the rest of the race with one leg. I’m in a lot of pain." She noted the crash impacted her performance but remained undeterred, stating, "Quitting has never really been my thing. I gritted my teeth and tried to make the most of it."
The Azencross Loenhout, held amid the busy Christmas period and between UCI World Cup rounds, featured fewer top-ranked riders, as many competitors like Lucinda Brand, Fem van Empel, and Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado were absent. Nevertheless, the event still showcased high-caliber competition among local riders.
Riberolle's win at Azencross marks her first victory since the Exact Cross series event held in Essen earlier this year, and it undoubtedly boosts her confidence moving forward to the remaining races of the season. "This is great for morale and for the upcoming races," she concluded.
Overall, the Azencross Loenhout served as not only a platform for Riberolle to emerge victorious but also highlighted the indomitable spirit of competitors like Cant, who pushed through adversity during the race. The event displayed the resilience and talent within women's cyclocross, setting the stage for the challenges and excitement to come.
