It was not the desired result at the Brussels Cycling Classic fir Giant-Alpecin, as Max Walscheid sprinted to 13th and Roy Curvers took 16th. Dylan Groenewegen won the race from a reduced bunch sprint. 

The race was likely to end in a bunch sprint, as this has been the case in the last six editions. Although the 13 registered climbs wouldn’t make it easier for the sprinters.

A breakaway group of 5 riders animated the race. Many riders tried to attack on the ascents but the control by the sprinters’ teams was too tight and the breakaway group was swallowed up in the finale.

After a hectic finale in rainy conditions Max Walscheid sprinted to 13th from the reduced bunch sprint. Roy Curvers took 16th. The sprint was won by Dylan Groenewegen (Team Roompot Orange Peloton).

Max Walscheid said: “I am proud to get the chance to sprint with such a lead-out team. We did a good job but came a bit too late. Last corner at 1km our position was around 30-40th and we moved up and started the sprint. In the sprint I almost crashed and was unable to get into the top 10.

“It was a chance to get a good result but in end I am happy to work together with the team like this.“

Coach Rudi Kemna added: “Our plan was to control the race and to join the attack in the case the race allows for it. But the race was locked from the beginning, at the time the breakaway of 5 riders got away.

“Warren [Barguil] was in the leading group for a while during the finale. The control was super and Marcel wasn’t good enough to sprint. We changed our plans and went for Max in the sprint. The way the team operated was good, but we hoped for a better result.”