Shari Bossuyt (21) has highlighted her qualities in the first competitions of the year. Is she ‘the next big thing’ in Belgian women’s cycling? Belgian champion Lotte Kopecky already waved praise in Extra Time Koers.
Besides Lotte Kopecky, another Belgian cyclist was in the spotlight during the first spring races. Shari Bossuyt made the switch to Canyon-SRAM World Tour squad this season. The 21-year-old cyclist made an impression in the Omloop, Le Samyn des Dames and the Bloeizone Fryslan Tour.
During Extra Time Koers, presenter Ruben Van Gucht presented Bossuyt’s achievements: 10th in the final standings of the Bloeizone Fryslan Tour with the youth jersey and sprint jersey on top, a great performance in the service of leader Katia Niewiadoma in the Omloop and a 9th place in Le Samyn.
“I think she took a huge step forward last winter. The change of team to Canyon-SRAM was also a good move,” concludes Lotte Kopecky in Extra Time Koers.
It’s hard when you go from the juniors to the elite.
That step forward was especially noticeable in Le Samyn. She survived the selection and in the sprint with the thinned peloton she raced to 9th place ahead of riders like Grace Brown and Chloe Hosking.
Kopecky emphasizes the difficult transition from racing in the junior category to racing between the elite as a 21-year-old. “It’s difficult when you come from the juniors. The distance is more than double and the level is very high,” says Kopecky. “You can’t compare that with 5 years ago,” she adds.
So the peloton has been warned. Besides Lotte Kopecky, there is another Belgian danger ready to change course. The next race on her program is the Ronde van Drenthe. It will start on Saturday.
Check out the action of Shari Bossuyt on the Berendries here
Is Shari Bossuyt the next big thing? “She took a huge step forward this winter”
