Colombia went into the Brussels Cycling Classic hoping that Leonardo Duque would be a protagonist in the expected bunch sprint. Unfortunately, the Colombian was on a bad day.

Goodwill did not prove enough for Team Colombia on Saturday September 6th at the Brussels Cycling Classic (201,7 km), won in a mass sprint by German André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) ahead of Elia Viviani (Cannondale) and Arnaud Demare (FDJ). The Colombian line-up, guided by DS Valerio Tebaldi, had in Leonardo Duque its best card for a final sprint, but the veteran did not have his best day, and in spite of a good lead-up by Juan Pablo Valencia and Miguel Angel Rubiano, could not move to the front to contest the top positions. Duque was still the best Team Colombia man to the line with his 23rd place.

A six-man move – Riblon (Ag2r), Parrinello (Androni Giocattoli), Koretzky (Bretagne), Rabottini (Neri Sottoli), Ghyselinck (Wanty), Derniers (Wallonie) – earned almost six minutes in the first part of the race, but was caught back as soon as the peloton reached the final circuit around the Belgian Capital. From there on, several attacks were attempted – with Team Colombia’s Carlos Julian Quintero in the thick of them several times – but no one could really get away of the control of the bunch.

“The sprinters’ teams made their race from the beginning, and breakaway really never had a chance today," Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi said afterwards. "So it came down to the sprint finish, but Leonardo did not have his best legs today. It happens like this sometimes, so it’s good that we have another chance tomorrow.”

On Sunday September 7th, the action will move to Northern France for another late-summer semi-classic, GP Fourmies.