The Elite Women hit the infamous Koppenberg climb five times and completed four laps in the newly-named Grand Prix Jolien Verschueren race, formerly called the Koppenbergcross.
The race was in memory of the late two-time former winner who died this past summer with complications due to brain cancer.
With just two passes of the steep, cobbled and slippery Koppenberg climb, it was clear that National Champ Clara Honsinger had her climbing legs ready for the European holiday race.
After dispensing early leaders Kata Blanka Vas and Yara Kastelijn, Honsinger had only Denise Betsema up ahead.
By the second time up the climb, only Betsema was in her rearview.
The two put on a show, bumping elbows a few times on descents, but Honsinger was best on the cobbles and dominated the climb to cement her first victory in Europe.
Betsema held on for a hard-earned second.
The riders were unanimous in declaring the weekend a tough one.
American Corey Coogan Cisek, the oldest in the race, beat nearly half the field to finish 27th. Her teammate Allison Arensman finished 40th.
See the full results below, and watch the highlights of the 2021 Koppenbergcross / GP Jolien Verschueren here.
Jolisa Verschueren took part in the race to honor her late sister.
X2O Trofee Oudenaarde - Koppenbergcross 2021 Results: Elite Women
| # | Rider | Age* | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HONSINGER Clara | 24 | Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld | 51:07:00 |
| 2 | BETSEMA Denise | 28 | Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal | 0:12 |
| 3 | VAS Blanka Kata | 20 | 0:35 | |
| 4 | KASTELIJN Yara | 24 | IKO - Crelan | 1:42 |
| 5 | BRAND Lucinda | 32 | Baloise Trek Lions | 2:01 |
| 6 | ALVARADO Ceylin Del Carmen | 23 | Alpecin - Fenix | 2:12 |
| 7 | WORST Annemarie | 26 | 777 | 3:01 |
| 8 | VAN EMPEL Fem | 19 | Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal | 3:19 |
| 9 | CLAUZEL Hélene | 23 | A.S. Bike Crossteam | 3:47 |
| 10 | CLAUZEL Perrine | 27 | A.S. Bike Crossteam | 4:54 |
| 11 | ARZUFFI Alice Maria | 27 | 5:03 | |
| 12 | COUZENS Millie | 18 | 5:56 | |
| 13 | NORBERT RIBEROLLE Marion | 22 | Starcasino CX Team | 6:23 |
| 14 | FRANCK Alicia | 27 | Proximus - AlphaMotorhomes - Doltcini CT | 6:52 |
| 15 | VAN LOY Ellen | 41 | 7:29 | |
| 16 | ONESTI Olivia | 18 | Starcasino CX Team | 8:17 |
| 17 | CRABBÉ Kiona | 20 | 8:42 | |
| 18 | TEOCCHI Chiara | 25 | Trinity Racing | 9:22 |
| 19 | DOBBELAERE Jana | 25 | Starcasino CX Team | 9:57 |
| 20 | BASTIAENSSEN Fauve | 24 | BNS Technics - Groep T.O.M. | 10:31 |
| 21 | MELLOR Amira | 24 | Team Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus | 11:06 |
| 22 | OTTESTAD Mie Bjørndal | 24 | 11:41 | |
| 23 | MEISTROK Susanne | 22 | Proximus - AlphaMotorhomes - Doltcini CT | 12:02 |
| 24 | MOORS Fleur | 16 | 12:28 | |
| 25 | CREES Xan | 21 | Team Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus | 12:48 |
| 26 | BROUWERS Julie | 19 | 14:40 | |
| 27 | COOGAN CISEK Corey | 44 | Velorevolution WP Cycles | |
| 28 | GORT Femke | 18 | BNS Technics - Groep T.O.M. | |
| 29 | DEVIGNE Camille | 19 | ||
| 30 | DEFOUR Lara | 24 | ||
| 31 | VAN WUNSEL Lise | 21 | ||
| 32 | DE GROOT Marieke | 36 | ||
| 33 | DHONT Kiona | 18 | ||
| 34 | MARASCO Margot | 16 | ||
| 35 | GREENHALGH Laura | 36 | Velorevolution WP Cycles | |
| 36 | PERRYMAN Amy | 20 | ||
| 37 | SCHEVENELS Lies'l | 18 | ||
| 38 | BERTON Nina | 20 | ||
| 39 | BREUGELMANS Rosanne | 23 | BNS Technics - Groep T.O.M. | |
| 40 | ARENSMAN Allison | 27 | Velorevolution WP Cycles | |
| 41 | DE KEERSMAEKER Audrey | 22 | Starcasino CX Team | |
| 42 | COOPER Madeline | 17 | ||
| 43 | WHITESIDE Freya | 16 | ||
| 44 | DE ROECK Naomi | 31 | ||
| 45 | DE VOS Nele | 23 | ||
| 46 | YOUNG Lily | 18 | ||
| 47 | BLANCHAERT Jo | 51 | ||
| 48 | MARIEN An-Sofie | 17 | ||
| 49 | VERSCHUEREN Jolisa | 22 | ||
| DNF | PAGGEL KATHARINA | 17 |
