Jérôme Baugnies has won the Druivenkoers today. The success of the Wanty-Groupe Gobert team in Overijse, Belgium was complete when Marco Marcato mounted the second step of the podium. 

“It's been a rotten season so far because of a bacteria I got at the beginning of this year. I didn't expect to win anything this season and hope this leads to more. The team is doing very well at the moment and we are hard to beat. There are some great races coming up that suit us well," Baugnies reacted. 

Four-times winner Bjorn Leukemans was at the start line in Overijse of course. He got company from the exact same team that led him to victory last Sunday in GP Jef Scherens: Marco Marcato, Jérôme Baugnies, Frederik Backaert, Frederik Veuchelen, Marco Minnaard, Francis De Greef and Kevin Callebaut.

After 40 kilometres a breakaway of four riders got clear. Wanty-Groupe Gobert controlled the peloton together with Lotto-Soudal. After the breakaway was caught, Jérôme Baugnies, Bjorn Leukemans and Marco Marcato decided to animate the race at four laps from the finish. 

The 17 leaders were chased hard but the peloton never saw them back. Wanty-Groupe Gobert played out their strength in numbers well. Bjorn Leukemans attacked in the penultimate lap. In the final lap it was up to Marco Marcato. Sean De Bie followed the Italian and Baugnies was the last rider to bridge towards the front of the race.

“Gaëtan Bille attacked from the chasing group and I followed him, not sharing in the work of the chase of course because we had Marco up front. The chasers came closer and closer and  then I bridged the gap myself," Baugnies said. 

The three leaders, Marcato, Baugnies and De Bie, would ride for the victory.

“We spoke to each other and we both wanted to win this race. I have been in this situation before with Tim De Troyer in Tour du Finistère,” the winner reacted.

Marcato's reaction after his second place was one of disappointment. 

"We spoke to each other on the descent of Schavei and I asked him to let me win this race but he misunderstood me. We talked this out immediately after the race. I hope my time will come soon, too. My condition is really good. This result is very important for the team but it's also hard for me because you never know when a chance comes again," the Italian said honestly.

“For now I would like to help Marco win a race. There are plenty of chances for Wanty-Groupe Gobert with the races that are coming up," Baugnies said.

"I have had a miserable season so this win feels good, especially since it is a good race. It was one of the toughest editions, with very little recovery time. We have made the race hard and then we finish twith he first two places so we could notdo better. 

"In the final, I spoke with Marco. I started the race and was the strongest on the last climb, so I deserve to win. On Sunday I'll be in Plouay. I want to continue this momentum, bringing more victories."