Bold claim: Lara Gillespie proves she’s back on track with a podium on European roads just 24 hours after a crash. But here’s where it gets controversial: does resilience at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad always translate to podium form at Omloop van het Hageland? This rewrite preserves the core details while clarifying the context for beginners.
Lara Gillespie, riding for UAE Team ADQ, earned her first European podium of the season with a second-place finish at the FENIX-EKOÏ Omloop van het Hageland (1.1). The result came just a day after she crashed at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a setback she navigated on short notice.
The Wicklow native, who also finished second in this race last year, was edged by Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech, a rider who had already proven her sprinting prowess by winning multiple Tour de France stages this season. Kool launched the sprint and Gillespie responded quickly, but Kool held on to secure the win in the final moments.
In the closing kilometers of the 141.8-kilometer race, three breakaway riders were reeled in, and Gillespie seized the chance to mount a late challenge. However, Kool’s sprint proved decisive as Gillespie crossed the line just behind the winner.
Belgian rider Shari Bossuyt of AG Insurance-Soudal Team finished third in the reduced bunch sprint that determined the podium.
Earlier in the race, Marta Lach (SD Worx-Protime), Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), and Flora Perkins (Fenix-Premier Tech) spent much of the day at the front with an extended lead. They appeared poised to stay clear, but their advantage dwindled and they were only caught within the final kilometer.
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And the winner is...
Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech clinched the victory. 🏆
(via omloopvanhethageland/IG Stories) #OmloopVanHetHageland #OVHH26
— Arcalis (@Arcalis1997) March 1, 2026
