In a rare loss of the season, Demi Vollering (SD Worx) lost an uphill sprint to Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) on the final climb of Brabantspaille on Wednesday.

Vollering admitted that it "wasn't enough to win" against Persico on the day, but also said that she simply ran out of energy because she forgot to take in enough food and water during the 141km race to Overijse.

"Actually, a bit of laziness. Sometimes I thought, I had my windstopper on and I thought I could do it a little bit later, but in the end it was too late," Vollering said in an interview with AD.nl (opens in new tab) after the race.

The winning moment came on the last of three laps of the 22-km finishing circuit, which included four climbs: Haggard, Moskesstraat, Horstheide, and S Bocht.

Gent-Wevelgem winner Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) took advantage of smooth gutters to cross Hagaard, Persico, Shirin Van Unroy (Trek Segafredo), and Elise Chaby (Canyon SRAM), Margot VanPattenbeke (Parkhotel Valkenburg) joined her.

They gained 30 seconds on the steep Mosquesstraat, and with 7 km to go, Vollering bridged with Liane Lippert (Movistar), putting seven riders in front.

"I felt good. I was able to close the gap in a good way. But in the last hour I ate too little. That made me hungry. So it wasn't very smart," Volering said.

Reusser used his strength in the time trial to hold onto the front of the breakaway.

Volering had won the Brabantse Pijl the previous year and was familiar with the intricacies of the tricky final, but as she began her sprint, Persico passed her within 30 meters of the line to win.

"I would have liked to have won the second race in a row, but I started too early. My legs faded a little early. So it wasn't enough to win. Still, I have a good feeling about Brabants Pile," Vollering said.

SD Walks dominated the Spring Classic with 10 wins, and Volering heads into the upcoming Ardennes Classic as one of the favorites to win.

"He won the Strade Bianche and the Dwar door Fraunderen and was second in the Tour of Flanders and Brabants Pile. Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. These are my main goals for this season, so hopefully I can continue my good form."