Chantal Blaak takes victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women for Boels-Dolmans

Women's race temporarily halted as they nearly catch the men's event

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Dutch team Boels-Dolmans laid down a marker on Saturday, with former road world champion Chantal Blaak winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad by more than a minute.

The 29- year-old had escaped a group of eight riders which emerged from the Muur van Geraardsbergen, riding the closing 16km alone to take the team’s first win of 2019.

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Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour