Experiencing an unimpressive second part of the 2014 season and not making the final selection to French squad for World Championships, Arnaud Demare returned to his winning ways at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and took his first victory since claiming national title in late June.

FDJ squad cunningly saved their energy hidden in the peloton after they had sent impressively active Olivier Le Gac up the road as a part of the strong 13-man breakaway. The French team hit the front alongside Giant-Shimano and Lotto-Belisol with a perfect timing shortly before the escapees have been brought back under the flamme rouge, providing their 23-year old leader with a perfect-lead out. This way, Demare oversprinted Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) who took the best possible position on his wheel claiming his eighth victory of the season. Jonas Van Genechten completed the podium.

A traditional circuit

The 99th edition of the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen (1.1) kicked off in perfect weather conditions. As Sjoerd Kouwenhoven (CT De Rijke) was the only non-starter, 158 riders lined-up at the start of the event traditionally taking place on the circuit in Koolskamp, ready to cover sixteen laps for a total distance of 192 kilometers.

Among the biggest favorites to take a factory in Flemish one-day event, winner of last year’s edition Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Belisol) lined up in the Belgian national champion’s jersey, even though in-form Andre Greipel had to be considered team’s strongest card to play. Other fast finishers in likes of Luka Mezgec, Tom Veelers (Giant-Shimano), Michael Van Staeyen, Tom Van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen), Arnaud Demare (FDJ), Phil Bauhaus (Team Stolting), Van Poppel brothers (Trek Factory Racing), Roy Jans or Laurens de Vreese (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) also took the start.

A hectic first hour

Predictably, the race kicked off to a very hectic start as the peloton covered a distance of 48.6 kilometers in the hour of racing. During that time many breakaway attempts were taken with Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Belisol), Edwig Cammaerts (Cofidis) and 2012 edition winner Ronan Van Zandbeek (CT De Rijke) being the most recognizable riders going on offensive, but there was no consent from the peloton to give escapees much any leeway.

The break is formed

It took almost one hour and a half of racing before a right breakaway was formed, but just as it happened, the 13-man group quickly gained an advantage of 2’55” at 50-kilometre mark. The strong group consisted of André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), Olivier Le Gac (FDJ.fr), Matti Breschel (Saxo-Tinkoff), Julien Fouchard, Florian Senechal (Cofidis), Tom Van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Jonas Ahlstrand (Giant Shimano) Nico Sijmens, Frederique Robert (Wanty Groupe Gobert), Christoph Pfingsten, Ronan Van Zandbeek (CT De Rijke), Sam Lennertz (Real Estate Service - Golden Palace) and Wouter Mol (Vera Classic Doltcini).

Trek leads the chase

Trek Factory Racing was arguably the strongest team which missed the move and they started to set a furious pace at the front of the peloton as soon as they have realized that their rider, Laurens Didier, was unable to make a junction.

Trek continued their hard chase with Clément Chevrier doing all the work and a huge effort paid off as escapees’ advantage was reduced to 1’45” halfway through.

Meanwhile, two hours of racing have passed with an average speed of 46.9 km/h and the front 13-man group started to split due to visible lack of cooperation. Nico Sijmens tried to take off on his own, while  both CT De Rijke riders fell off the pace.

The gap came down to only 1’15” at 96 kilometre mark and remained stable for next 30 kilometers as Trek was joined by Garmin-Sharp as they also missed the break. Giant-Shimano also started to contribute to the chase as they probably didn’t give Ahlstrand big chances against Greipel and Van Asbroeck.

Greipel goes on offensive

A series of attacks from the breakaway took place shortly after passing the finish line in Koolskamp with 3 laps to go as the advantage dropped below 1’00”. Le Gac, Breschel and Greipel were first riders who have tried to split the group but were quickly brought back. Impressively active Lotto-Belisol rider was surprisingly active at this part of the race and continued his attacks through the next lap, without any success, though.

Lotto and FDJ take control

Realizing that the breakaway won’t stay, Lotto-Belisol hit the front with one lap to go and the gap quickly went down to only 25” with 10 kilometers to go.

Greipel continued to impress with his aggressive attitude as he tried to attack once more, but the breakaway has been brought back with a perfect timing just before passing the flamme rouge as FDJ lend Trek and Garmin a hand, strongly contributing to pace setting with Demare riding on the last position of their five-rider train. When Lotto-Belisol also hit the front it became absolutely clear, that the race will be decided in a bunch sprint.

2014 Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen top 10:

1. Arnaud Demare (FDJ.fr)

2. Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano)

3. Jonas Van Genechten (Lotto-Belisol)

4. Michael Van Staeyen (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise)

5. Danny Van Poppel (Trek Factory Racing)

6. Kenny Van Hummel (Androni Giocattoli – Venezuela)

7. Joeri Stallaert (Veranclassic – Doltcini)

8. Roy Jans (Wanty – Groupe Gobert)

9. ? (CT De Rijke)

10. Tom Van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise)