Kenny Dehaes (Lotto-Belisol) continued his splendid season by taking his third win in today's Belgian one-day race, Halle-Ingooigem. The Belgian held off Luka Mezgec (Argos-Shimano) and last year's winner Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) in the bunch kick at the end of 198,4km in the Flemish Ardennes.

Kenny Dehaes has enjoyed his best season to date and today he rounded off the first part by taking his third 2013 win in the Belgian one-day race Halle-Ingooigem. The Belgian sprinter beat Luka Mezgec (Argos-Shimano) and last year's winner Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) in the bunch kick that would decide the winner of the semi-classic.

Despite numerous attacks throughout the race which was held on a 198,4km course with many of the famous hellingen known form the spring classics, it all came down to a big mass sprint for the second consecutive year. Having finished 3rd behind Bouhanni and Arnaud Demare (FDJ) last year, Dehaes got the better of the French champion this time to add to his season tally that already includes win in the Trofeo Palma and the Handzame Classic.

The race was a final chance for national champions Tom Boonen and Bouhanni to show off their jerseys ahead of Sunday's title defences. While Bouhanni was very much in the mix, Boonen failed to finish the race, probably preferring to save his legs for the championships which are held on a very hilly course in the Ardennes.

Having recently raced the Giro and the Tour de Suisse, Dehaes will probably line up on Sunday to make his final appearance in the first part of the season while it will be left to the team's super sprinter Andre Greipel to defend the team colours in the Tour de France bunch kicks.

Result:

1. Kenny Dehaes

2. Luka Mezgec

3. Nacer Bouhanni

4. Wouter Wippert

5. Adrien Petit

6. Kris Boeckmans

7. Blaz Jarc

8. Danilo Napolitano

9. Tom Van Asbroeck

10. Aaron Gate