Dramatic sprint decides opening stage of Healthy Ageing Tour

A last-ditch effort in a long sprint to the line by Jolian D'Hoore (SD-Worx) saw the Belgian sprinter claim victory in a dramatic finish to the opening stage of the Healthy Ageing Tour.

Jolien D'Hoore of SD-Worx wins the opening stage of the Healthy Ageing Tour Source: Healthy Ageing Tour

The UCI 2.1-classed Healthy Ageing Tour slotted in between the classics races this season, with the live broadcast resourced by a crowdfunding campaign to offset the lack of spectators on the closed courses.

Stage 1 was a 126km race held on 28 laps of a motorsport race track, the TT Circuit Assen circuit in the Netherlands. The race was largely kept under control by the main teams until the final lap when Daniek Hangeveld (GT Krush Tunap) took a flyer with four kilometres remaining, almost making it to the finish line.

Hangeveld was swallowed up by the field in the final 200 metres, but the drama didn't stop there as pre-race favourite Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) unclipped while launching her sprint, sending her crashing to the ground from second position.

That left British champion Alice Barnes (Canyon-SRAM) sprinting at the front of the race, but D'Hoore was able to just overhaul her right on the finish line.

"It was pretty hectic and the speed was very high," said D'Hoore. "I am pretty happy to take the win for the team today. I want to go for the chance and I had a great team to help me."

"I almost crashed when Wiebes got down, but I could still make it to catch Barnes at the finish."

Karlijn Swinkels (Jumbo-Visma) was third, with Australia's highest-placed finisher Chloe Hosking (Trek-Segafredo) in 15th.