The 90th edition of the Belgian classic Schaal Sels was a very special race. On the course, marked by cobbled sections and dirt roads, the jury vehicle got stuck in a cornfield at the half point of the race. Consequently, the race was neutralized and only 90 kilometers from the finish line it was started again.

Immediately afterwards there were many attacks and 16 riders were able to go clear, including three riders of Bora-Argon 18: Bartosz Huzarski, Ralf Matzka and Lukas Pöstlberger. This lead group was reduced because of many attacks and mechanicals.

A soloist attacked and it took until the beginning of the final laps before a small chasing group with Ralf Matzka caught him. In the race’s decisive moment, Matzka was set back by a puncture, but he fought back on the last lap and even attacked in the last three kilometers. While the victory went to Robin Stenuit (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Matzka sprinted to 6th place.

"This was an incredibly difficult race with countless cobblestone sectors and dirt roads. One left one sector and was immediately on the next one. That was borderline, almost too extreme, because the race completely fell apart. At the neutralization, many small groups came back again before a lead group with Bartosz, Ralf and Lukas got away. Bartosz has crashed on a pavé and again it’s necessary to stitch the wound, after a strong performance Lukas simply had to paid the price at one point. Ralf rode a great race and in the last 50 kilometers he was always among the first ten riders. The puncture in the finale was unlucky of course – but even better that he fought back and sprinted to the 6th place. Hats off to this strong performance in such a tough race!” said Sport Director Steffen Radochla.