D’hoore leads OVO Energy Women's Tour after Stage 1 sprint

Jolien D’hoore sprinted to victory on the opening stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour ahead of Boels-Dolmans team-mate Amy Pieters.

Jolien d'Hoore gapped the field on the OVO Energy Women's Tour opener. Source: Getty

D’hoore and Pieters were followed by Lisa Brennauer (WNT-Rotor) on the 157.6km stage from Beccles to Stowmarket. The best placed Australian was Chloe Hosking (Alé Cipollini) who was in the mix before fading to sixth in the final metres.

“It was a pretty good day for us [Boels-Dolmans]," D’hoore said. "I’m happy I could show it today with the stage win.

"The team was really strong, and they brought me actually to the perfect position going into the sprint and they dropped me off at 150 metres to go.

"Amy Pieters got second herself, so it really proves that we are a strong team here.”

The pair were at the head of the peloton that chased down British rider Abby-Mae Parkinson (Drops), who held a 90-second lead before the catch with less than two kilometres left to ride.

Jolien d'Hoore. (Getty) Source: Getty