For the Movistar team, the Omloop Het Niusbrod girls were an example of how luck can play an important role in cycling and how the best laid plans can come to nothing.

Despite playing their cards right to defend Annemiek van Fruten's 2022 win, the team lost their leader to a puncture just before Mühl van Geraalsbergen and failed to chase down eventual winner Lotte Kopecky (SD Works).

In a group sprint, Emma Norsgaard lost to Kopecký's teammates Lorena Wiebes and Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ), finishing in fourth place. 'I got a flat tire two kilometers before Mule. I hit a pothole and had to switch bikes. That was the fastest I could do, but still not fast enough," Van Vleuten said

. Immediately, "I could tell that this race was over." But you still try to get back to Emma's group. Maybe I could contribute to the chase, that was my hope," Van Vleuten explained after finishing 2:04 behind.

Before the leader's misfortune, Movistar was running a nearly perfect race: the 17-man group that formed in Hagehoek included Van Vleuten, Liane Lippert, Florche McKay, Emma Norsgaard, and Ode Biannick, with Biannick from the group with Carline Swinkels (Team Jumbo Visma) up the road.

When the group, and Biannick and Swinkels were caught again, Arlenis Sierra attacked alone. Without the world champion pushing in Mur van Geraalsbergen, Kopecký got away and bridged to Sierra. 'It was a crap shoot,' Kopecký said. I wanted to test my legs in the Mur, but I couldn't do it. It's just a chase, it's not the same as the lead," Van Vleuten was understandably disappointed, but was looking forward to his chance at the Strade Bianche next Saturday. With Sierra still in front between Mühl and Vosberg, Lippert, Mackay, and Norsgaard did not chase at full speed, and by the time they had committed themselves to a chase in Vosberg, it was too late. 'The plan was to make up the numbers at the front, so it was really good that Arlenis was there. I think if I can get to the finish with her, she's going to be really strong," said McKay.

"I wanted to race really hard. But there wasn't enough wind. I thought there would be a little more crosswind, so it was too easy between the wheels.

"In the mules, Lotte went and maybe hesitated for a second or two, which opened up the gap.