Lieke Nooijen secured the Dutch national road race title in Nijmegen on Sunday, June 28, 2026, after winning a long sprint against breakaway companion Femke Markus.
The 24-year-old Visma-Lease a Bike rider from Helmond outsprinted Markus, who rides for SD Worx-ProTime, to claim the biggest victory of her career.
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Loes Adegeest finished third, ahead of former champion Mischa Bredewold and local rider Femke de Vries.
Nooijen previously secured third place in the national time trial championship on Wednesday.
Following her victory in the road race, she experienced an emotional celebration at the finish line.
"Als eerste over de streep komen, is altijd een kippenvelmomentje," said Nooijen. "Om deze trui straks te mogen dragen, is wel heel speciaal."
The achievement mirrored the success of her teammate Wilco Kelderman, who won the men's national title earlier in the day.
Race Decided in Final Kilometers
The final phase of the race opened more than 50 kilometers from the finish when De Vries initiated an attack.
She was joined by Adegeest, Nienke Vinke, and Malou Eisen, representing the major teams in the peloton.
An acceleration by De Vries on the Oude Holleweg climb left only Adegeest in her wheel, which forced a reorganization of the front group.
One lap later, Nijmegen native Eva van Agt attacked on the same climb, temporarily distancing top favorites Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos.
Although Visma-Lease a Bike held a four-rider advantage in an eight-woman group, a lack of consistent pacing allowed the chasing pack, including Wiebes and Vos, to rejoin without significant effort.
