Wout van Aert claimed an impressive victory in the fourth edition of Marly Grav Race. The 31-year-old Belgian rider from Visma | Lease a Bike helped shape a demanding race alongside Niels Vandeputte, Rick Ottema, Florian Vermeersch and Jonathan Vervenne. With 22 kilometres to go, Van Aert launched a powerful attack and rode solo to the finish in Valkenburg, taking the win ahead of Vandeputte and Ottema.

In the women’s race, Lorena Wiebes successfully defended her title. After a thrilling battle with Larissa Hartog, Ilse Pluimers, Amandine Muller and Nele Laing, Wiebes proved strongest in the sprint to the line in Valkenburg.

On Sunday 10 May, 1,800 riders lined up at the start of Marly Grav in Valkenburg aan de Geul. The men tackled a 153-kilometre course, while the women raced over 135 kilometres. Both routes combined stunning gravel sections with a series of short, sharp climbs and longer ascents through the Limburg hills.

Van Aert was a late addition to the start list. “The race fitted perfectly into my schedule and, as many people know, I really enjoy riding off-road. Most of all, I wanted to have fun — and I certainly did. It’s a special event, especially with riders from the other categories cheering us on along the way. That was great to experience, and of course it makes it even better to win here.”

Wiebes wins women’s race
The 27-year-old Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx came out on top after a tough and lively women’s race. A strong group of fourteen riders set the tone at the front for much of the day. The decisive move came on the climb of the Muur van Banholt, on the Molenweg, where seven riders managed to break clear.

In Valkenburg, Wiebes was the first to open the sprint. She held off her rivals to take the win ahead of Hartog, Pluimers, Muller, Laing, Schiff and Eisen.

“I felt good,” said Wiebes afterwards. “We had a strong group at the front and had to make our way through the field past riders from the other categories. It’s fantastic to win in the rainbow jersey in my own backyard. It was a tough race, but I really enjoyed the route and the atmosphere along the way.”