Dan Seaton gallery: The women of Zonhoven

Hanka Kupfernagel (Stevens) and Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm-BKCP) made their first sandy descent side by side. Photo: Dan Seaton

Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm-BKCP) tries to get some traction near the bottom of the sand pit. Photo: Dan Seaton

Kim Banga (TWC De Kempen) dodges Caren Commissaris (WAC Team Hoboken) as she tumbles over the bars. Photo: Dan Seaton

Sabrina Stultiens' (Rabobank) steely handling in the sand landed her on the podium. Photo: Dan Seaton

Amy Dombroski (Telenet-Fidea) took a first-lap tumble that set her back in the critical early moments of the race. Photo: Dan Seaton

Hanka Kupfernagel (Stevesn) leads Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm-BKCP) back into the sand. Photo: Dan Seaton

Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm-BKCP) on her way down the second of the race's two technical descents. Photo: Dan Seaton

Annefleur Kalvenhaar (Giant Benelux) hikes up a steep, sandy wall. Photo: Dan Seaton

Joyce Vanderbeken (Decock-Sportivo Moorsele) on the steep climb out of the sand pit. Photo: Dan Seaton

Fans perched on the precipice of the pit in order to get a good view of the race. Photo: Dan Seaton

Ellen Van Loy (RTC Buitenlust) chases Annefleur Kalvenhaar (Giant Benelux) down a tricky descent. Photo: Dan Seaton

Many women chose to run this short, sandy climb. Photo: Dan Seaton

Amy Dombroski (Telenet-Fidea) leads Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Rabobank) on her way to eighth place. Photo: Dan Seaton

Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm-BKCP) takes a big solo win in Zonhoven. Photo: Dan Seaton