The GP Stad Zottegem was scheduled today. In and around the city in East-Flanders, the peloton had to cover 189 kilometres in total. The riders had to tacle eight hills and they had to ride over three cobbled sections.

 

The pace was very high from the beginning so it was really difficult to get away. Eventually several riders could set up a break, but the large front group didn’t get much advantage. After that, a split occurred in the front group and fourteen riders remained in front. At fifteen kilometres of the finish, four riders accelerated at the front of the race; Kenny Dehaes, Antoine Demoitié, Oliver Naesen and Elias Van Breuseghem. There were a few attempts in the background but the four leaders stayed ahead. They sprinted for the victory and Dehaes turned out to be the fastest, beating Demoitié. It’s the second victory for Dehaes in one week. Last Tuesday he also won Heusdenkoers.

 

“It was a very tough and uncontrolled race," Dehaes said. "The course was a bit different compared from the previous years. When we rode in front with 23 riders, there was no cooperation. Eventually some riders wanted to make something of it and fourteen riders remained in front.

 

"In the final lap we were with four riders at the front of the race. Naesen attacked a lot because he knew that he couldn’t win against Demoitié or me in the sprint. Van Breuseghem was already happy that he could hold the wheel.

 

"At 250 metres of the finish I started my sprint but actually that was a bit too early. Demoitié came really close, at the finish I had about half a wheel advantage. I’m very glad with this victory because it certainly wasn’t an easy sprint.

 

"I'm happy to win here because I had really made it a goal. The race was dangerous with lots of turns. At first we were 27 in the group. I was pleased to have Kenneth Van Rooy, our stagiaire there. I was able to save energy. Unfortunately, we were caught. 

 

"We then got clear with 14 riders but I knew that with guys like Oliver Naesen and Jelle Wallays from Topsport Vlaanderen, I was far from having won the race because I knew they would take risks. In the end, I did not focus on a sprint. I knew that they would not bring me to the line. I finally attacked in the last kilometers to force a selection decision. The Paddestraat didn't change much for us but may have led to nervousness in the peloton. The sprint against Antoine Demoitié was close, but I was able to stay ahead with a small margin.

 

“In the spring I had a lot of misfortune, it wasn’t easy to build up again and to regain the good condition. Also my self-confidence wasn’t that great. After the training week in Livigno the feeling was better and better. In the Tour de Wallonie it wasn’t superb, in Denmark I felt really good. I confirmed that good shape last week in Heusden and today. 

 

"The next race that I’ll ride is Leuven, I hope that the good legs will be present there as well.”