The 28-year-old started the winning breakaway but was eventually beaten for speed in the finale by Amy Pieters (SD Worx) to finish the wet and windy 124-kilometre event.

"I felt strong today and can really feel my classics form building now," she said. "The first part of the race was a bit hectic, but as riders started to tire I settled into the peloton a bit better.

"On the final big lap we had planned to start riding aggressively. Other teams seemed to have the same idea and the peloton split with just 25 or so in the front.

"I took an opportunity when the pace lulled a little to attack on a small cobbled climb.

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"I realised that it was going to be really hard in those conditions to ride solo, so I was pleased to be joined by Pieters and Klein.

"I was feeling strong in the break and maybe did a bit more work than the others. I felt determined for the move to stick!

"The other two wouldn't come around me in the final lead-in to the line, so I decided I would just go all out from the bottom of the cobbled climb.

"Unfortunately Amy Pieters has a really strong finishing kick and was able to come around me.

"It would have been awesome to win, but I'm happy with how I raced and am feeling confident ahead of some of the bigger Belgian cobble classics."

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