André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) has won the first edition of the Brussels Cycling Classic, the race that succeeds Paris-Brussels.

Lars Boom (Belkin) set up a late attack, but in the final kilometre he was caught. German national champion André Greipel sprinted to victory before his fellow countryman John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) and Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr).

“We started with the idea to try to win this race and everybody was very motivated,” Greipel said. “The whole team really deserved the victory today, because we assumed responsibility. The guys really did a great job to keep the break close enough, between a 1’ and a 1’30” gap. Everyone of us was committed to prepare for a bunch sprint. This was good teamwork. It turned out well and I’m really happy. Every victory is special, but certainly here in Brussels as we are a Belgian team. The sponsors and riders are happy with the victory.”

“At the end Lars Boom jumped away, he is one of the guys who always tries a stunt like this. We had to gamble for the bunch sprint and hope he couldn’t maintain the gap. In the last corner I was a bit far back, but Marcel Sieberg brought me in about tenth position. Then I had to go really early for the sprint, I already started with 350 meters to go. I think that’s why I could surprise everyone. When the last lead-out guy for Bouhanni finished his job I had to move to the left, but luckily I could pass. Without that I think I would have even gotten a bigger gap.”