Aurela emerges from the nerviness at Nokere

Mar 20, 2025, 02:19 AM

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Photo credit : Quentin Photographie BE

Polish rider Aurela Nerlo finished just outside the top 20 on Wednesday at the Nokere Koerse. Second in the Omloop Nieuwsblad earlier this month, she took the team's leadership over in the race following a crash — fortunately without any damage — by Canadian Kiara Lylyk. Marie-Morgane Le Deunff tried to show off the jersey early in the race before putting herself as a teamplayer.

Fighting for the positions

The race has started in a calm way, under a generous sun. The average speed during the first half of the race did not exceed 38 km/h. It was in this context that Marie-Morgane Le Deunff tried to make a breakaway. "We had to speak about the tactic between us during the race. At the beginning, I felt good so I attacked, but a lot of teams did not want to be represented," she explains. "I stopped my effort when I saw it wasn't going to work. Alone, I would not go very far. There were a few difficulties, so I also wanted to keep some energy."

A different tactic had to be decided within the WOS collective. "I saw that Kiara (Lylyk) was in a good shape, I wanted to ride for her, explains Marie-Morgane. We tried to get into position together." A difficult task against the other teams. Aurela Nerlo : "It was chaotic. We fought for the positions all the race."

This remains encouraging for the future

The final sprint was preparing on the last lap of the circuit around Nokere. Canadian Kiara Lylyk, protected in the case of a bunch finish, was involved in a crash with less than 10 kilometers to go. Fortunately, she was fastly back on her bike with a few scratches, but it was too late to get back to the front of the race. Aurela Nerlo, who initially wanted to protect her teammate, finally played her own card. "We wanted to help Kiara but she crashed, so I stayed in the first group, she said. Usually, this kind of finish suits me, but I did not have very good legs. That's life." She finished 21st. "Result is ok, it could be better but it could be also worst". Marie-Morgane Le Deunff added : "We learn from our mistakes. We were all waiting for each other, when we should not do. Anyway this race is encouraging for the future."

The team Winspace Orange Seal is staying along the French-Belgian border to make a recon of the Paris-Roubaix course, on Thursday and Friday. "We're staying in Denain to see the cobbles sections, then gain experience on the cobblestones before the race," says Marie-Morgane Le Deunff. "It's going to be fun, we can't wait to discover (again) the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix." Aurela Nerlo is also taking part to the training. "I'm happy. we already did a Paris-Roubaix recon last year, so it's not new but it's always fun to train on these roads and stay with the team".

Results :

21st - Aurela Nerlo

60th - Constance Valentin

67th - Marie-Morgane Le Deunff

68th - Jenaya Francis

89th - Kiara Lylyk