Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) finally took what has been a long overdue first win in the rainbow jersey when he claimed a second victory in Gent-Wevelgem. Having attacked hard on the Kemmelberg, he joined forces with Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo), Fabian Cancellara (Trek) and Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha) to keep an elite chase group at bay and then took an easy sprint win. Vanmarcke was second and Kuznetsov completed the podium.

 

Peter Sagan: I didn’t want to make the same mistake again

It was a stunning victory for Peter Sagan today as he took his first win in the rainbow stripes of the UCI World Champion’s jersey at Gent-Wevelgem. In the second of the four cobblestone classics, and in a contrast to his win in 2013 which he won after a solo breakaway, Peter took the win in a four-man sprint, having escaped in a group 34km from the finish.

 

Speaking at the finish, a thrilled Sagan talked about his first win.

 

“I'm very happy that I've won finally with this jersey. It's an important race for me also - it’s the second time I have won here. I want to dedicate this victory to my father in law as he had a hard time yesterday and I'm very happy to have won this race for him, and for our team owner, Oleg Tinkov.”

 

The 234km course was flat for the first 125km, but these more open sections of the course were exposed and windswept, sapping the energy reserves of the riders. After this, at 140km, the climbs came thick and fast – ten climbs in the space of 65km. It was on these climbs the race would be won or lost.

 

Peter Sagan was in the front group from early on in the race, among the other race favourites, but stayed hidden in order to save energy for the finish. A tailwind was helping the bunch along for the first half of the race, but the riders knew this would be working against them on the home stretch. Hitting the major climbs, the field was stretched out, however no major splits had formed. It was after the final climb, the Kemmelberg, that the decisive move was made and the race was on.

 

With 34km to go, Fabian Cancellara of Trek-Segafredo went, taking Sagan with him, and bridging the gap to Katusha’s Kuznetsov, who was further up the road. Having been joined by LottoNL-Jumbo’s Vanmarcke, the breakaway quickly built up a lead of 35 seconds on the rest of the peloton.

 

With 5km of the race left and a 45 second time gap, it seemed certain the break wasn’t going to be caught. The chase had fallen apart, meaning it was all down to the four riders in the breakaway, and the race was to be decided with a sprint to the line. At less than 2km to the finish, the breakaway slowed, looking at each other to see who was going to make their move. Finally after Cancellara feigned an attack, Kuznetsov went and Sagan followed, using the Russian rider to lead him out and take the win in the sprint.

 

From the finish, Sagan described the break.

 

“The final was very hard because we were in a breakaway. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake as before and pull until the finish. We had a gap, I started from third position, and I said I had to go behind him and he pulled me in a very good sprint.”

 

At the finish, Sagan was quick to thank his teammates, who were instrumental in keeping him safe in the early stages of the race.

 

“I am very happy for today. I have to thank my teammates as they did a lot of hard work today. From the start they were a bit on the back foot but they came again. We played a bit with the group, and it was good from them. I had a hard time yesterday I am very happy for today. It was very hard and I want to thank my teammates. Every race is different and today was my day.”

 

Sagan continued, describing the final 30km of the race.

 

“In the final it was a hard race with the strong wind and we went full gas. In the final we attacked with Fabian in the last cobblestone climb, Kemmelberg, and made the breakaway. Then I think the fans also saw the breakaway - we worked well together from the start. In the sprint the speed was very slow as we spent a lot of time on the front of the group. Today I felt very, very good and the victory is here and for that I'm very happy.”

 

Sport Director, Tristan Hoffman, was full of praise for Sagan and the team.

 

“It was clear from the start that we go with Peter today, and the guys were all focused on the plan. Pavel Brutt was in the first breakaway - they were let go but there were crosswinds and big splits in the peloton so the situation was always changing. A big split in the peloton came behind with 30 or so riders coming across, including Peter. Then there was a chase group behind and we had five others there too so we were always in a good situation.”

 

While the racing was hard, the team worked well, continued Hoffman.

 

“It came back together and kept changing but the guys always stayed calm and protected peter. When Pavel Brutt went again the others could focus on looking after him and positioning him for the difficulties. Then on the last climb Peter went full gas and got a gap, ending up in the front with three others. They had to go full gas, but without blowing himself up before the sprint, and he gauged his effort well. On the big roads they were chasing hard behind but they rode really strong at front and held the gap, and at the end he finished it off in style.”

 

After two of the cobblestone classics, there remain the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. After taking his first win of the season, Sagan was philosophical about the coming races.

 

 “For sure what is very important is I have good condition. Friday was a different race and today was much better for me. I am very happy and I am on good form for Flanders and Roubaix. E3 was a different race and you can see the end of the race was different. Everybody knows I was tired – I worked a lot on Friday. In life there are more important things than placings – I’m riding for passion, not for ambition.”

 

Hoffman praised Sagan’s approach to racing.

 

“Peter is a great champion - the other races that he has almost won, he was disappointed but always quick to focus on the next one. He knows how to handle these moments and how to focus and give everything. It's great to work with him.”

 

Sep Vanmarcke: I admit that I was the weakest of the three
Sep Vanmarcke finished second in Belgium’s Gent-Wevelgem today. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Belgian missed the first echelon in the beginning of the race, but fought back with his teammates to grab his spot in the leading group in the final of the WorldTour race. Only Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) was faster in the final kick.

 

“The race didn’t start well for me,” Sep Vanmarcke said. The wind played its role to force echelons and that didn’t turn out positively for Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s front man. “It broke after 65 kilometres of racing and I have to blame myself for not being in the first group. Jos van Emden brought me in good position just before, but I lost some positions again afterwards.”

 

Vanmarcke couldn’t afford to miss the move. He added, “I gave everything I had in that chase.”

 

It worked because the first two groups merged. 

 

“I felt that I was powerful today,” Vanmarcke continued. On the Baneberg, he attacked on his own. “That was a nice move, but I’m glad that I recovered before the Kemmelberg. That climb was tough. I reached the top just after Sagan and Cancellara, and had to take some risks in the turns on the downhill to bridge to them. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to get there anymore.”

 

Nico Verhoeven noted Vanmarcke’s mistake after 65 kilometres. 

 

“That chase took a lot of energy from him and it took a lot of time, as well,” the sports director said. “He almost wasn’t able to play a role in the race final at all. Think of how good he could’ve been if he was in front already from the beginning. It’s a pity that he wasted so much power there. It wasn’t a perfect race, but he showed that he is one of the best in these races.”

 

“It didn’t start well for me,” Vanmarcke said. “Beforehand, we knew that there were going to be crosswinds. I was well positioned at the turn, but it was my own fault because I dropped back after that when nothing happened. Suddenly, it completely split up. From there it was a chase for me. I made up a lot of ground and got into the second echelon, but it was a long pursuit from there.”

 

“I knew that I had to take the corners in the descent of the Kemmelberg at full risk because if the gap wasn’t closed straight away, it would be over. I only just managed to do it.

 

“During the pursuit today and at the Kemmelberg I felt that I was strong. I knew I lost a few bullets in the pursuit but I knew that I would still be riding the finale today, though I didn’t expect to be up there with the two best riders.”

 

“They ride very hard. I was the weakest from the three when taking pulls. I can admit that. There’s no shame in that: it was a world champion and a man who has probably won ten classics and been the world time trial champion.

 

“I was dead. I gave a lot to stay up front. I know that I have a bit of a sprint at the end of a race but to beat Sagan and Cancellara is hard. I’m pleased with second place.

“Sometimes they say second place is the most thankless position, but I’m pleased to finish second today instead of third. I narrowly missed out on the podium in Harelbeke in a similar position, but now I’ve taken second place with a simple bike throw. That’s often taken for granted.

 

“It was the goal to be good now, and you’ve got to be happy when it works out in a good way too. It’s just in time.”

 

Viacheslav Kuznetsov: Now people will know who I am

With a big turn of speed in the closing meters of Sunday’s 243 km Gent-Wevelgem, Team Katusha’s Viacheslav Kuznetsov began his sprint against some of the biggest names in cycling. The Russian cyclist managed to hold on for a fine third place on the day, marking a first World Tour podium for the 26-year old ‘Slava’ Kuznetsov.

 

“A month ago I was having some health problems and I never expected that at this race I could be top three. For me it was a big surprise that I had such good legs today. This was maybe the best day in my life. I am so happy – it feels like a dream that I was in the top three. At 50 meters to the finish line I was in the front and I thought maybe I could win, but Sagan was too fast, but I did my best today. When I started my sprint, I felt I could not wait any more. I could not stay on the wheel against those guys. It was better for me to jump and have some speed and surprise of my own. It was about 180 meters to go and I knew I could sprint that distance. Peter Sagan was just stronger, “ said Viacheslav Kuznetsov.

 

Taking his second career win in Gent-Wevelgem and first victory wearing the World Champion rainbow jersey was Peter Sagan of Tinkoff. He was followed by Sep Vanmarcke of Team LottoNL-Jumbo and Kuznetsov, all on the same time of 5:55.16.

 

“This is the first time Kuznetsov is in the final of a World Tour race of this level and he did so well. The last thing I told him was to stay calm and cool. He did that, and he is on the podium. This is so great for him and for the team – especially to beat Cancellara or to be up against Sagan and Vanmarcke is super in a race like Gent-Wevelgem. Then to also have two others in the top ten!” exclaimed team director Torsten Schmidt.

 

Kuznetsov’s unexpected journey to the finish line began 50 km from the finish, before the last two climbs of the Baneberg and the cobbled Kemmelberg. Vanmarcke, Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) and Sagan accelerated over the climb to eventually join Kuznetsov in the front. The quartet worked hard to stay away in the last 30 km and managed to establish an advantage that hovered around the 38-second mark despite desperate chasing from behind. In the chase group trying to disrupt the effort and not contributing were Kuznetsov teammates Jacopo Guarnieri and Michael Mørkøv. Guarnieri ended up in 8th place and Mørkøv was tenth at 12-seconds.

 

“Tactically, I have to thank our sports director Torsten Schmidt. He told me on the radio to attack in this section, exactly in this place. It was a small road and we both knew the peloton would be going slow here. I believed him, but I was surprised to find myself in the front alone and building a gap – 20-seconds, then 30-seconds….no one followed me. I made the gap go to 1:10. After the Kemmelberg I rode easy and when the others came to me I was ready to go with them. In the last 10 km I was ready to help them and we worked together and waited for the sprint. I knew the others did not know who I was, they did not know me at all, so they had no expectations that I could be first in the sprint, especially after using energy in my long solo attack. But, I did what I could and the result is a big surprise,” continued Kuznetsov.

 

“I knew the small roads here from last year when we won with Paolini. With Guarnieri, Porsev and Mørkøv we had some fast guys, if it came to a sprint, so Kuznetsov had to try in an attack. I knew a group would go away on the Kemmelberg and then it would be 25 km flat, so it worked out,” concluded Schmidt.

 

Unable to start today due to illness was team leader Alexander Kristoff.

 

“I was sorry that Alex was sick and could not start today, but we still had a race to do and even though I was not designated as one of our leaders, when Schmidt said to attack, I did that. It was good for our sprinters too, because they did not have to work in the group and in the end we were third, 8th and tenth. We earned a lot of World Tour points today. I guess it’s true that now others will know who I am,” concluded Viacheslav Kuznetsov.

 

Fabian Cancellara: My only mistake was that I did too much

The winning move came the final time up the Kemmelberg, the last climb of Gent-Wevelgem, where Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) attacked the steep cobbled climb and only Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo) could follow.

 

The strongest had surfaced in the 243-kilometer Classic. The trio would latch onto the sole breakaway rider, Katusha's Viacheslav Kuznetsov, over the top and this quartet held a 30-40 second advantage for the final 33 kilometers, holding off a furious pursuit to contest a four-up sprint.

 

Peter Sagan finally broke the curse of the World Champion's jersey, winning his first race in the rainbow stripes, as Cancellara – who battled cramps for the final five kilometers – could do little more than hang on for fourth.

 

"Arriving with four, and then making fourth is not funny, not nice, but that's bike racing. I mean, I could do nothing more," explained Cancellara. "In the end, I did not have the legs, or power, that I am used to. I am happy that I was everywhere in the most important points, in the front, and that the team was there, too.

 

"I had in mind to make a selection on the Kemmelberg and see what would happen because I knew it would be tailwind after this. The only mistake maybe I made is I was pulling too much, or just a few seconds more [than the others].  I am happy that I came to the finish without crashing. I can say with Gent-Wevelgem I don't have the best love. I have done it many times, and how can I say… I never come to this race with the same determination that I want to win.

 

“Now it's over and time to go home and recover. It's happy Easter day, but it's not happy Gent-Wevelgem day.”

 

Similar to Friday's E3-Harelbeke, a strong, cohesive Trek-Segafredo team led the way. Crosswinds split the peloton in the first third of the race, and when a regrouping happened with around 100 kilometers remaining, six pinstripes were there – five loyal teammates that immediately went to work for Cancellara. With the experience and power of Yaroslav Popovych and Gregory Rast, and the sprightly legs of Giacomo Nizzolo – all three who reconnected with Marco Coledan, Edward Theuns, and Cancellara in the front –  the team kept Spartacus comfortably protected as the race hit its crescendo.”

 

"Of course, Fabian today was our leader," pointed out Giacomo Nizzolo, who was instrumental in the final 60 kilometers covering the key attacks.  "In between the two Kemmelbergs, I tried to follow the big moves to let the guys behind relax a little bit. After I covered the move, Edward (Theuns) – who was the co-leader today – came to me and said he was not feeling too good, but it was too late because I could have saved some legs. But okay, once you are there, committed, you just cooperate.

 

"Then in the last time up the Kemmelberg, Fabian went away, and I was in the group behind with 20 guys, and Etixx [Quick Step] were pulling. It was not easy to stay there because I had been following all the moves earlier.

 

"I tried to do as much as I could for the breakaway to stay away, but then they always put me in the side with the wind. For the finale I had nothing more; it's a bit disappointing to be 11th and just out of the top 10 today."

 

Coledan and Theuns were the first to lose contact, followed by a fatiguing Popovych and Rast on the Baneberg, the penultimate climb.  However, an on-form Nizzolo soldiered on, providing valuable support until Cancellara accelerated up the Kemmelberg and split the race for good.

 

"When the first split came, quite early, it was still a long way to go, and many riders were excited to pull. There I was not feeling well; I was still feeling fatigue from Friday, and I didn't have the legs I wanted to have, but later in the race when my team gave me more support in the important points, I was getting more motivation and confidence," added Cancellara.

 

Director Dirk Demol agreed:

 

"An impressive team is what I can say again also. It was too bad we lost [Niccolo] Bonifizio early when he was caught behind a few crashes before they made the echelons and he never could come back.

 

"We still had 6 of us when the groups came back together, and they did an amazing job to protect Fabian the maximum they could. Giacomo did a great race and was in a key breakaway with 50-60kms to go. Edward did his best, but he did not have the same legs like on Wednesday.

 

"It was just a pity that Fabian had a little bit of cramps at the end, but he did again a great race, and again was in the final breakaway. In general, I have to say I saw again a great team."

 

Although the win again slipped Cancellara's grasp, and cramps prevented even a podium placing Sunday, all was not lost ahead of the biggest and most important Classics still to come.

 

"But for me what's the most important is that I had two very hard, intense days of racing and this will bring me forward to where I want to come for next week," reasoned Cancellara. "Gent-Wevelgem is not Flanders; [E3] Harelbeke is not Flanders, but they were still important test races towards next week. Milan-Sanremo was not as hard as other years, and I needed these intense one-day races, this is the last step that maybe what I need, so I am happy with that. Now I finalize the last trainings at home coming into the most important races of the year."

 

FDJ after fifth place for Demare: We need to support our leader better

In such circumstances, he could not expect a better result and Arnaud Démare, fifth and winner in the bunch sprint ahead of Gaviria (Etixx-Quick Step), could be satisfied with his race. He is now fifth in the WorldTour.

 

Demare was the only FDJ rider in the main group when things split in the wind.

 

"This is the downside of the day,” says sports director Frédéric Guesdon. “True, Yoann Offredo had just suffered a puncture and was assisted by Murilo Fischer and Olivier Le Gac but Mika Delage, Mathieu Ladagnous and Ignas Konovalovas have not been able to accompany their leader. They are asking questions and this next week will be important to them. They do not do the Three Days of De Panne and must talk to their coach. I know they will. Arnaud Démare really works well but cannot do it alone.”

 

"In this context, yes, he is doing well but if the break was caught, Arnaud would have been the winner! Finally he took fifth place and can be happy with his race and the outcome. He will be there in the Tour of Flanders and I want to believe that his teammates will be there too. They are very anxious!”

 

Fernando Gaviria sixth on bad day for Etixx-QuickStep

Once again, Etixx – Quick-Step was the team to pull behind the quartet and rode really hard, dropping many riders in the process, but even though they took back half a minute thanks to some impressive pulls of Niki Terpstra or Tom Boonen, it was still very difficult to neutralize that move, which made it to the finish, where Sagan won after outpacing Vanmarcke and Kuznetsov. From the mini-peloton that arrived 11 seconds later, Fernando Gaviria sprinted to sixth place, an important placing for the 21-year-old neo pro, who recorded Colombia's best ever result in a cobbled Classic, despite hitting the deck at one point during the race.

 

"This morning, in the first two hours, I couldn't find my rhythm and I was a little bit concerned. Then I crashed, but as the race progressed I began thinking that I could do something, and eventually came sixth. To be honest, I really enjoyed this race and I am glad that I could count on a great team and look up to guys like Tom and Niki from whom I can learn a lot about riding in the wind. Belgium was a great experience and I am now returning to Colombia satisfied with the way I rode", said Fernando Gaviria, who scored three wins in 2016, proving with each occasion his unlimited potential, which helped him come with the best not only in Gent-Wevelgem, but also in Milan-Sanremo and Dwars door Vlaanderen.

 

Having the team again among the protagonists and showing how united it is even in tough weather conditions left Etixx – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere content and confident that the riders can go for a big result in the following Monuments, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix:

 

"The guys did a good race, there's nothing to say about this. We were always at the front, fighting and on two occasions we tried to anticipate the others, with Trentin and Vandenbergh, but unfortunately the bunch didn't allow them to get clear. On the Kemmelberg, Zdenek came 10 meters short of making the junction with the guys in the lead. I want to congratulate Fernando for this 6th place in his first Gent-Wevelgem. We still have two weeks to try and go for a big result and we will give everything to get it."

 

Roelandts shows improvement, Debusschere crashes hard

Jürgen Roelandts finished seventh.

“I didn’t feel well in the beginning of the race, most likely due to the stomach problems of past Friday. I didn’t know how I would feel later in the race so I thought to ride for Jens Debusschere. But during the race I felt better and better and when the echelons were formed, we were present with five riders in the front of the race,” Roelandts said.

 

“The crash of Jens certainly determined the race, since then it was clear that Tiesj and I could try something in the finale. We did our very best but when the best riders of the race attacked on the Kemmelberg, we weren’t able to follow. It was pretty clear that it would be very difficult to bridge that gap. From that point on it was my plan to achiece a place in top ten. I finish at the seventh place, the same result as last year. The feeling was better at the end of the race compared to Friday, that’s positive regarding to next weekend.

 

“A rest period is planned next week, I’ll focus entirely on the Ronde Van Vlaanderen. During next week we’ll also do a last recon of the crucial parts of that race. The goal is to prepare ourselves as good as possible.”

 

Manager Marc Sergeant said:

 

“The end result is not very good but not very bad either. We tried to ride a decent finale with Tiesj and Jürgen. Perhaps Jens was our best rider in the race but unfortunately he abandoned due to a severe crash. We tried to ride as aggressively as always, five of our riders were part of the break and that was a good situation for us. Everyone knew the crucial places on the course. When the speed was raised, the peloton immediately split in four groups, five of our riders were part of the first echelon.

 

“Lotto Jumbo was able to bridge the gap and suddenly a bigger peloton was formed. After that Tiesj attacked with four other riders but the right attempt occurred on the Kemmelberg. Tiesj and Jürgen weren’t able to follow at that moment. Eventually the four escapees remained ahead. The riders in the chasing group did all they could, but no one was able to bridge the gap.”

 

At 80 kilometres from the finish, Jens Debusschere crashed rather badly. He was taken to the hospital of Ieper. Further examinations have shown that he has a bruise on the lower back muscles, a bruised junction between the collarbone and shoulder blade, a mild concussion and some abrasions. Whether he’ll start in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen will depend on his recovery during the coming days.

 

Greg Van Avermaet: I didn’t expect to be so good after my illness

Greg Van Avermaet has crossed the line in ninth place at Gent-Wevelgem in a bunch sprint for the minor placings after Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) secured the win in a four-rider breakaway. Having skipped E3 Harelebke on Friday due to illness Van Avermaet was not feeling 100% at the start line, but nonetheless put in a gutsy ride to slip into the top ten.

 

The 243km race saw multiple breakaways throughout the day and strong winds split the peloton, making for a stressful day in the saddle. In the end it was a move by Sagan, (Katusha), Fabian Cancellera (Trek-Segafredo) and Seb Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo) which proved successful.

 

Van Avermaet is disappointed with the result.

 

“I didn’t feel too good but I’m disappointed because I was close to wheels of the guys who went out the front. In the end I’m happy that I was there because I wasn’t expecting to be that good, so I felt I was good but not good enough to be in the big attack,” Van Avermaet said.

 

“In the end I guess I have to be happy with my legs as I was sick on Friday so I only had one or two days to recover. The focus is now on Ronde Van Vlaanderen in a week’s time so I’ll try and rest and recover well to be back with my usual form then.”

 

“During the whole race I only had three energy bars and three bottles so I’m not back to normal yet. Now I’ve got to recover a couple of days from this hard race and get better.

 

"Today I wasn’t in the same great form that I had in the previous weeks. I’ll be in top form at the start I didn’t have the perfect build-up but that’s how it is. Last year I crashed at the E3 Harelbeke and wasn’t very good here but I finished on the podium in Flanders. There’s no problem for me to ride a good race. It’s important to get my power back and then it’ll be alright.

 

“I didn’t expect to get this far in the race. Then again, if you just miss the right move then you’re still disappointed a bit. I need to be content though because I didn’t expect much from this race. Only three men were stronger than me so that’s OK.

 

"I lacked strength. I’ve been ill for a couple of days and it wasn’t easy for me to be at the start but I’m happy about my race. I was on the wheel of Vanmarcke on the Kemmelberg. Just over the top I missed the right-hand corner a bit and lost his wheel. Normally that wouldn’t be a major problem but I lacked the force to do another effort to close the gap back down.

 

”Fabian was pulling very hard over there. If you’re distanced by a couple of metres you’re riding completely into the wind and they were gone. That was my problem.”

 

BMC Racing Team Sports Director Fabio Baldato said the team made the most of the situation.

 

“It was a great race for the team. Greg was good but was still missing something due to his illness. In the final he was a little bit empty. He was right up there but when they attacked on the final climb he was dropped,” Baldato said.

 

“We knew going into it that Greg wasn’t in the best condition but it’s a good sign for next week (Ronde van Vlaanderen). All of the guys rode really well and they reacted when they needed to. Hopefully we’ll have Greg back at 100% next Sunday.”

 

Orica GreenEDGE learning the lessons in the cobbled classics

Luka Mezgec has taken twelfth place for ORICA-GreenEDGE on a windy day of racing at Gent-Wevelegem. Mezgec and Jens Keukeleire made it into the front group when the race split on the ascent of the Baneberg, Mezgec held on to contest the sprint behind breakaway winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff).

 

Good early work from Luke Durbridge and Mitch Docker kept ORICA-GreenEDGE in contact with the front group enabling Keukeleire and Mezgec to maintain their positions for the finale.

 

Sports director Laurenzo Lapage was happy with the continued improvement by the squad over the course of the last week’s races.

 

“We positioned ourselves very well today, we were ready when the attacks came and we are showing improvement in every race,” said Lapage. “Jens (Keukeleire) did a great job trying to set things up for Luka (Mezgec) in the final kilometres and work to bring back the leaders.”

 

“We are no longer just following or sitting on,” continued Lapage.” We are getting involved in the race, fighting for our positions and this is getting better all the time. Luke (Durbridge) put in some turns early on because our plan is to keep him fresh for De Panne on Tuesday. Everyone was happy with this and we executed our race-plan really well today. Our positioning was so much better today and I hope we can continue our improvement in next weeks races.”

Topsport Vlaanderen:

 

Koen De Kort takes over from Degenkolb in Gent-Wevelgem

In the chasing group it was Koen De Kort who sprinted to the 16th place, Giant-Alpecin’s first finisher in this cobbled classic.

 

Koen de Kort said: “When the crosswinds caused splits I was positioned a bit too far back. The team helped me to get back to the front and I ended up in the 2nd group. After the third climb we came back and from there I stayed in the front.

 

“We knew the last time Kemmelberg was crucial and I was positioned well. Four guys were just too strong there. After the Kemmel was part of the chasing group and I felt good.

 

“We sprinted for 5th position and I aimed at top 10. I chose the the wrong wheel in the sprint and ended up finishing in 16th place.”

 

Sports director Luke Roberts said: “The bunch split easy in the crosswinds today. Our priority was to have Zico [Waeytens] and Koen up in the front group. Zico made it and Koen managed to make it back to the front after the Catsberg, so things looked good from there.

 

“Zico was very motivated today and showed that during the race. Koen also did a strong race, staying well positioned all day.

 

“Overall we can be satisfied with how the race went as it is a step in the right direction. It will give us motivation for the races to come.”

 

Edvald Boasson Hagen: I simply couldn’t follow on th Kemmelberg

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka took to the start of Gent-Wevelgem with former winner Edvald Boasson Hagen, who once again proved to be in good shape at the moment. After suffering some bad luck at the E3 Harelbeke last Friday the African team was looking forward to finish the weekend off with a better result.

 

The African team managed to place four riders in the front group of the peloton as the inevitable split was forced by 34 riders. Boasson Hagen, Tyler Farrar, Matt Brammeier, and Nic Dougall were part of that group.  At that time the African team seemed to be one of the strongest of the day.

 

The Norwegian national road race champion stayed in the mix at that time but unfortunately wasn’t able to go with Cancellara on the Kemmelberg, only a few kilometers later.

 

Boasson Hagen crossed the line together with the chasers 11 seconds later.

 

“It was a hard day. The team did a really good job, though. They always stayed at the front with me and were up there when the peloton split. The guys were riding really well. Of course, I’d have liked to finish a bit further up in the final but that’s racing. I was in the right position on the Kemmelberg but it was just too hard to follow Fabian Cancellara, Peter Sagan, and Sep Vanmarcke when they attacked,” Edvald Boasson Hagen said.

 

“It’s a bit a day with mixed feelings. The guys rode really well today, but with Jay Thomson and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg suffering punctures just before the peloton split we were 2 riders down going into the final 100 kilometers. Tyler, Matt, and Nic made the best out of it, pushing the pace in the peloton. I’m really happy with the way they raced today. They kept Edvald out of the wind for most of the day, so he was up there in the end. He was sick last week and I think that cost him the final bit to finish with today’s best,” Jean-Pierre Heynderickx – Sports Director - said.

 

Astana look for overall victory in De Panne after solid Gent-Wevelgem

"I expected to do a good race because even at Harelbeke I had a good feeling," said Andriy Grivko who arrived with the best.

 

“My morale is good in view of the Ronde van Vlaanderen. I will have to stay ahead as much as possible and then see what happens."

 

Today's race also saw a long Lieuwe Westra attack along with four other riders.

 

For sports director Gorazd Stangelj the wind affected the race.

 

"The selection was made at the first feed zone because of strong crosswind that broke the group into different parts.

 

"On Tuesday begins the Driedaagse De Panne, a short stage race in which we can do well. For the overall classification we can count on Lieuwe Westra who has on his side the final time trial and Lars Boom who is in great shape. Andrea Guardini can also win the second stage which should arrive in a sprint finish.”

 

Roompot rider shows classics potential in Wevelgem

Berden de Vries again proved to have made great strides in his development as a professional. As in Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne he was with the best in the final. A mistake oin the final descent of the Kemmelberg cost him a place of honour.

 

De Vries was in the first echelon when things splut.

 

"This job suits me well and with my good form in recent weeks I dared work in the front," said the 27-year-old afterwards.

 

Also in the hill zone, De Vries was always in the front rows. "Unfortunately I had to wait long after a flat tire and I missed a turn in the descent of the Kemmel.That kind of unlucky moments cost me a place in the first group. A shame, of course, but the positive feeling prevails. To compete at this level is really different and I'm glad I was successful, I feel strong and hope that next week I can be there again in the Tour of Flanders.”

 

De Vries won the sprint of the second group and finished 27th. Also Jesper Asselman (54th), Raymond Kreder (63th) and Wesley Kreder (78th) were among the limited number of riders that finished the race.

 

Luke Rowe left frustrated after great rider in Wevelgem

Luke Rowe was one of only 19 riders left in a vastly-reduced peloton after Peter Sagan had sealed his first victory in the world champion's jersey at Gent-Wevelgem.

 

Rowe had jumped ahead with Zdenek Stybar (Etixx - Quick-Step) and Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) on the final ascent of the Kemmelberg, but the trio were unable to bridge over to a four-man move that stayed clear to contest the victory.

 

Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo), Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha) joined Sagan (Tinkoff) in that decisive faction, and the quartet played cat and mouse along the closing straight before a frantic finale.

 

Kuznetsov kicked off the sprint but Sagan latched onto his wheel and then rounded his rival to seal a long-overdue and popular triumph. Rowe meanwhile, had taken long turns in pursuit during the closing stages, and crossed the line 24 seconds later in 22nd position.  

Team Sky began the day a man down after the late withdrawal of Ian Stannard due to illness, and the strong winds caused an early split in the peloton after five riders had formed the day's initial breakaway.

 

Everything came back together 88km from home, but the consistently hard riding meant only around 35 riders were left in contention on the first of two trips up the Kemmelberg. Michal Golas and Danny van Poppel worked hard to ensure Rowe was well positioned heading on to the second ascent of that famous cobbled climb, and the Welshman made his move before the summit.

 

An unwillingness from his accomplices to maintain their advantage saw Rowe's three-man move swallowed up soon after, but Sagan's group did stay the distance, allowing the Slovakian to wrap up his first win since taking the rainbow jersey last September.

 

Back on the bus, Rowe was left to ponder the fine margins on which races can turn, and admitted his frustration at not being in the mix at the finish.

 

He told TeamSky.com:

 

"I thought I was there at one point. There were six of us away and we'd done the hard work getting the gap on the Kemmelberg. Greg let a few bikes lengths go and then Zdenek wouldn't chase because he had his team-mate Fernando Gaviria behind, so that was that for us. It's a bit frustrating to be honest.

 

"The race was blown to bits after 60km but Danny and Michal did a great job for me. Michal was yo-yoing off the back for a while, but every time he came back he helped get me in position, so I take my hat off to him.

 

”There are a lot of positives to take from today. My legs felt good, even after 240km. I attacked a few more times at the end to try and bridge the gap to the leaders, and that's why I dropped a few seconds on the rest of the group as they sprinted for fifth.

 

"Now I want to hold my condition during the Three Days of De Panne to ensure I'm 100% for the Tour of Flanders next Sunday."

 

Difficult day for Movistar at Gent-Wevelgem

Over at the Belgian front, the Movistar Team riders covering their first week of racing on cobblestones had Andrey Amador still going through bad luck at the 78th Gent-Wevelgem (242.8km), despite finding some of his best legs like in Friday's E3 Harelbeke. Peter Sagan (TNK) won a four-man sprint against Kuznetsov (KAT), Vanmarcke (TLJ) and Cancellara (TFS), following several close calls during the last few weeks, as the Blues struggled to get a good result due to misfortune.

 

Amador and Sütterlin rode together with the top contenders until the second, final climb of the Baneberg, 40km from the end of the race, when the splits caused by the main favourites prevented the Costa Rican from keeping his place. Also fighting to stay in that group were two other riders from the telefónica squad: Fran Ventoso and, most notably, Nelson Oliveira. While riding near the front, the Portuguese allrounder was dropped as a broken wheel ruined his chances. Amador took 36th, with Sutterlin in 48th.

 

Sacha Modolo shows improvement on the cobbles, Cattaneo crashes

Sacha Modolo was the last Lampre-Merida rider to be dropped from the front of the race. The Italian sprinter approached the second passage on the Kemmelberg in the front group buthe could not remain with the top riders after having used energy to get back earlier in the race

 

Modolo covered the remaining kilometers in the second group and he completed the race in 38th place at 5’08”. The second rider from Lampre-Merida to finish the race was Kump who did a very brilliant performance in the first part of the race when he stayed with the first part of the peloton when it was split in several parts by an echelon after 80 km.

 

Later Kump faced a flat tyre which took him out of contention. He was 60th (+11’05”).

 

There were bad news for Mattia Cattaneo, who got involved, with other 4 rider, in a crash at the 150km mark. The Italian rider withdrew from the race and he was transported to the nearest hospital.

 

Team physician Dr Pollastri explained:

 

“Mattia underwent all the necessay medical checks: he suffered a fracture of the ulna which will require surgery. He’ll fly to Italy where he will undergo surgery and he’ll immediately begin the rehabilitation.”

 

Feng and Ferrari crashed in the early kilometers of the race, however they did not suffer injuries.

 

Sports director Scirea pointed out that: “We had two main goals: we missed to be in the breakaway which started in the first part of the race, while Modolo and Kump succeeded in being with the best riders in most of the key moments of the race. However, they both failed to follow the front of the race when the top riders made their important actions.”