The tension was palpable on Saturday for the 2024 edition of the women’s Enfer du Nord, an event that once again lived up to its name with an arduous 116-kilometre course punctuated by 17 fearsome cobbled sectors. The peloton put on a breathtaking show for the many fans who came to watch this legendary race.
Lotte Kopecky, from the SD Worx Protime team, took victory by finishing in the lead after a thrilling sprint, taking her to the top after finishing second in 2022. She finished ahead of Italy’s Elisa Balsamo of Lidl Trek and England’s Pfeiffer Georgi of the DSM-Firmenich PostNL team, confirming her exceptional form and mastery of the cobbles.
France’s Jade Wiel shone with a daring solo breakaway that greatly helped her team-mate Amber Kraak during the most tense moments of the race, particularly in the heart of the cobbled sectors. Amber fought hard and finally took an impressive fifth place at the Roubaix velodrome, just behind the favourites and just ahead of Marie Le Net, who secured a place in the top 10 by finishing ninth.
Team spirit was decisive for FDJ-SUEZ, with three of its athletes finishing in the top 15 and five in the top 30. Teamwork was particularly noticeable when Marie Le Net, Gladys Verhulst-Wild and Jade Wiel formed an effective counter-group, choosing to support Kraak rather than try to catch up with the leading pack.
Stephen Delcourt, the team’s sporting director, underlined the competitiveness and dedication of the riders, while remaining optimistic