The fifth edition of Challenge Geraardsbergen took place this past Sunday in East Flanders, Belgium.

Featuring some of the iconic cobbles of the Belgian classic pro cycling events and the climb of the Muur van Geraardsbergen which features in the Ronde van Vlaanderen – the Tour of Flanders – the event was won by Menno Koolhaas (NED) and Margie Santimaria (ITA). You can read how the race played out in our report from the day.

Following up on that report – and with great thanks to regular contributor José Luis Hourcade (www.joseluishourcade.com) – we can now bring you the story of the race in pictures too.

Margie Santimaria looks ahead to what would be a winning day
Joe Skipper (right) heads to the start
All action at the swim start
The Pro Women kick-off their day in Belgium
Age-Group athletes ready for action
The swim venue at De Gavers
Swim exit assistance
Ruben Zepuntke, before making his move on the bike
Great Britain’s Joe Skipper back on dry land
Early stages on the bike course
Antony Costes (FRA) in familiar aero style
Margie Santimaria and Emma Bilham (SUI) were close in the early miles of the bike leg
Ognjen Stojanovic (SRB) raced strongly for second
Joe Skipper, with distinctive aero bottle set-up
Emma Bilham was strong and consistent all day for second place
Menno Koolhaas (NED) lead on the bike, until Ruben Zepuntke caught him
Tom Vaelen (BEL) in full flight
The famous Belgian cobbles
Menno Koolhaas on the ‘Muur’
Uber-biker Ruben Zepuntke (GER) has a two-minute lead starting the run
Joe Skipper ran his way to a podium finish
Koolhaas overtook Zepuntke and was then in total control
Jonathan Wayaffe on the way to fourth place
Margie Santimaria running strong
Geraardsbergen market square
Koolhaas takes the tape
Santimaria improved from fifth in 2022 to this years champion
The Pro Women celebrate
Champagne all round for the Pro Men

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