Kenny Dehaes (Lotto-Belisol) won the 66th edition of Halle-Ingooigem yesterday. On the route several climbs awaited the riders like the Knokteberg, Nokereberg and Tiegemberg which had to be climbed several times.

The break of the day was formed in two parts. First a group of six with Jurgen Van de Walle escaped. A few kilometres later six guys joined them, one of them was Gaëtan Bille. That way Lotto Belisol had two riders in the front group.

In the final there were five local laps of 16.9 km. One and a half lap before the finish the front group split up. Bille was in the first part, together with five others. In the final lap all escapees were caught and the peloton was heading for a bunch sprint. Kenny Dehaes was the fastest. He beat Luka Mezgec and French national champion Nacer Bouhanni who finished second and third respectively. It’s Dehaes’ third victory of the season, after his wins in Trofeo Palma and Handzame Classic.

“Each victory is nice of course, but this one especially because the start was given in Halle,” Dehaes said. “I’m originally from Sint-Genesius-Rode, which is only a few kilometres away from Halle and that makes it special. My family and many supporters came to see me. On top of that it’s a great race to win. I could pursue my own chance and I beat some fast riders, so it can’t be better.”

“With Bille and Van de Walle in front we were relaxed in the peloton. When it was obvious that there would be a bunch sprint, we decided that we would go for the win with me. Tosh Van der Sande made sure there wasn’t any attack without one of us. Dirk Bellemakers and Sander Cordeel dropped me off at two kilometres from the end. There was a crash about four kilometres before the finish line, so the peloton was one long line. I installed myself in the wheel of the men from Argos Shimano and was perfectly placed.”