In her second podium finish of the year, Chiara Consonni secured third place at the UCI 1.Pro-classified Ixina GP Oetingen p/b Lotto.

She reflects with pride and satisfaction on the team’s effort, and her own personal improvements, in the mid-week semi-classic.

“Last week in the race at Hageland, I didn’t perform as well as I expected. But this week, I’m really happy and proud of the team. They truly believe in me, and they’ve shown that in every race. They’ve always worked hard to keep the race close and position me well, especially before the climb and the cobble sector. I’m happy because, as I mentioned last week, Belgium wasn’t the best start for me, but I feel like I’ve improved day by day. I just want to highlight that all the girls on the team did an amazing job. Unfortunately, Zoe crashed in the final lap, and we really missed her. But Maike waited for me after the last climb, around 1.5 km to go, and thanks to her, I joined the first group and was able to try my sprint. It wasn’t my best sprint, but it was a really hard race, and we raced together as a team. I’m really happy with that.”

As live coverage joined the action with less than 60 kilometres remaining, Rosa Klöser was holding the team in prime position at the front, expertly navigating the early phases of the 12km finishing circuit.

The size of the peloton fluctuated throughout the six circuits as attacks flew, most notably on the Zavelberg (0.6km at 6.5%), only to be reeled back in. Maike van der Duin was ever-present when the terrain was at its most demanding, whether on cobbles or climbs, gritting her teeth to ensure the team held presence in all possible moves.

With just over 20km to go, Zoe Bäckstedt crashed hard on a slippery corner but fought valiantly to regain contact with the peloton, where Maike, Chiara, and Nastya Kolesava were all sitting comfortably.

As the race entered its final four kilometres, Nastya guided the team across the Kasseide (500m) and Opperstebosstraat (1100m) cobbles, preparing Maike and Chiara for one last encounter with the Zavelberg.

The climb presented the perfect springboard for a race-winning attack, but with multiple riders spread across the narrow lane, pushing forward at a relentless pace, no one could break free. Every pedal stroke was matched, with riders cancelling each other out and preventing any decisive splits.

Maike was once again among the strongest, cresting the summit in the first few wheels and finding herself in a select group of a dozen riders, just ahead of a second chase group containing Chiara.

In a show of teamwork, Maike glanced back and took stock of the gap, allowing Chiara to rejoin just outside the final kilometre. The Italian quickly latched onto the lead-out train of Fenix-Deceuninck but wasn’t able to come around their sprinter, Julie de Wilde. Though fading in the dying metres, Chiara held on for a hard-earned podium, finishing behind fellow Italian Sofia Bertizzolo (UAD).