In pictures: Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 gallery

Chief Correspondent

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.

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Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Margie Santimaria looks ahead to what would be a winning day
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Joe Skipper (right) heads to the start
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
All action at the swim start
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The Pro Women kick-off their day in Belgium
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Age-Group athletes ready for action
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The swim venue at De Gavers
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Swim exit assistance
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Ruben Zepuntke, before making his move on the bike
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Great Britain’s Joe Skipper back on dry land
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Early stages on the bike course
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Antony Costes (FRA) in familiar aero style
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Margie Santimaria and Emma Bilham (SUI) were close in the early miles of the bike leg
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Ognjen Stojanovic (SRB) raced strongly for second
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Joe Skipper, with distinctive aero bottle set-up
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Emma Bilham was strong and consistent all day for second place
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Menno Koolhaas (NED) lead on the bike, until Ruben Zepuntke caught him
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Tom Vaelen (BEL) in full flight
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The famous Belgian cobbles
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Menno Koolhaas on the ‘Muur’
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Uber-biker Ruben Zepuntke (GER) has a two-minute lead starting the run
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Joe Skipper ran his way to a podium finish
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Koolhaas overtook Zepuntke and was then in total control
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Jonathan Wayaffe on the way to fourth place
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Margie Santimaria running strong
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Geraardsbergen market square
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Koolhaas takes the tape
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Santimaria improved from fifth in 2022 to this years champion
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The Pro Women celebrate
Challenge Geraardsbergen 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Champagne all round for the Pro Men
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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