Arlenis Sierra was flawless in the classic cycling race Tour of Flanders

April 5, 2022

This Sunday, Cuban Arlenis Sierra delivered a flawless performance as a member of the Movistar team of Olympic and world champion Annemiek van Vleuten, who crossed the finish line second and the Cuban rider fourth in the important classic Tour of Flanders in Belgium.

During the 158.6 km with 11 climbs and six cobblestone sections, they worked tirelessly against the relentless attacks that they were able to control until the final sprint, which was dominated by the lightning-fast Belgian Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), fourth in the Tokyo Olympic road race last year.

The 26-year-old winner posted a time of 4:11.21 and Annemiek (39) finished with the same time, followed just two seconds later by fellow Dutch rider Chantal van den Broek (32), world road champion in 2017.

The Caribbean sun of Movistar, the best positioned by the American continent, secured fourth place by unleashing her sprint against five other cyclists who completed that leading group, just 40 seconds behind Kopecky.

That elite group also included Marlen Reusser (SD Worx), the winner's "rocket," Cecilie Uttrup Ludwing and Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) and Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

One minute and 10 seconds behind the day's hero, 15 riders arrived, among them Movistar's Danish rider Emma Norsgaard in 13th place, and at 1:15 her club teammate, French rider Aude Biannic.

The other members of the "telephone" squad, Spanish Alicia González (98th place) and Italian Barbara Guarischi (99th), arrived at the tail end of the last peloton among the 103 competitors who were able to finish the tough stage, which resulted in the time limit being applied to nearly 40 cyclists.

For the Cuban, this result confirms her, in just two races, as the "trusted woman" of the extraordinary Van Vleuten. Helping her reach the podium, and winning for herself fourth place after her supreme work throughout the route, is more than just a tremendous sporting result.

Hours before the 19th edition of the famous Tour of Flanders began, Arlenis told JIT that "my mission is to help Annemiek repeat her triumph from last year, I was not satisfied with my ninth place in the previous race, because she finished 21st and she should be among the top finishers."

The Cuban should already be pleased, and so should Van Vleuten. Her young teammate's performance was undoubtedly commendable.