2011 Flandrienne Trophy - Grace Verbeke

The fact that the Flandrienne Trophy was only four years old in 2011 when Grace Verbeke won it for the third time says something about the status of the West Flemish cyclist in those years. And maybe Verbeke could even have scored four out of four. After all, back in 2010, with the Tour of Flanders and a sixth place in the World Championship, she could justifiably boast an enviable performance. But the Flandrienne Trophy was awarded to Liesbet De Vocht that year. Twelve months later, Verbeke finally bagged her third award. She won several international competitions that season but failed to live up to her own expectations, having to struggle with a somewhat uncooperative body. Grace Verbeke was seriously injured in an accident later that year. Physical problems continued to plague her in the years to come. A fourth Flandrienne trophy was not on the cards. But with three victories to her credit, she and Jolien D'Hoore remain record holders to this very day.