Results Superprestige Gullegem | Amandine Fouquenet times late attack perfectly to win on slippery debut for Pauwels Sauzen–Altez

Amandine Fouquenet made an immediate impact for her new Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw team by winning the Superprestige Gullegem, sealing victory with a perfectly judged late attack on a greasy, snow-affected circuit.

The French champion set the tone from the opening lap, launching into an early solo as the field struggled to find traction on the melting snow.

Jolanda Neff briefly attempted to bridge across but faltered in the sand, leaving Fouquenet alone at the front while Zoe Backstedt helped control the early chase behind.

As conditions worsened, the race began to fragment. Marion Norbert Riberolle once again had to recover from a muted start, but the Belgian champion gradually fought her way forward. Together with Aniek van Alphen, she began to reel Fouquenet back in, and by halfway the leading trio was reunited after three of the six laps.

Norbert Riberolle was the first to apply real pressure, accelerating sharply in an attempt to force a selection, but Fouquenet responded comfortably. Van Alphen focused on damage limitation through the slick off-camber sections, keeping herself in contention as the course continued to punish even small mistakes.

Behind the front three, a secondary battle developed for the final podium spot. Eighteen-year-old Canadian Rafaelle Carrier impressed once again, emerging as the strongest chaser and holding a narrow advantage over Backstedt as the race moved towards its finale.

With snowflakes beginning to fall and the bell approaching, Fouquenet chose her moment. In the penultimate lap she accelerated decisively, opening a ten second gap almost immediately. On a compact 2.6 kilometre circuit packed with bridges, planks, sand and short climbs, the timing proved decisive.

Starting the final lap alone, Fouquenet never looked back. Norbert Riberolle dug deep to secure second place, pumping her way through the closing kilometres, while Van Alphen held on for third despite sustained pressure from Carrier, who ultimately just fell short of a podium finish.

For Fouquenet, it was a statement win: controlled aggression early, composure under pressure mid race, and ruthless efficiency when it mattered most.