Going into the Nationale Sluitingsprijs, Giant-Shimano were expected to ride for Ramon Sinkeldam or Tom Veelers in a sprint. However, both riders changed plans and went on the attack in the fast race.

Ramon Sinkeldam helped to animate the final race of the season, Sluitingsprijs Putte – Kapellen, featuring in the main breakaway of the race before being caught in the final stages of the one-day Belgian race.

Tom Veelers made a strong move in the final kilometres with two others to try and surprise the rest of the sprinters but they didn’t pull off the move and were caught with around 500m to go. The race then came down to a bunch sprint in the end, with Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Belisol) fastest to the line.

After around 20 minutes of racing a group of eight riders formed ahead of the peloton to which Sinkeldam jumped across with two others. These eleven then pushed on ahead to extend their advantage to around 3’45″ at its maximum. The group gradually broke up as the kilometres ticked by and the eleven were eventually reduced to just four. Sinkeldam was still present and they didn’t give in, pushing on and trying to hold out for as long as possible, but with 24km to race the game was over and the catch was made.

Riders started to attack each other but it wasn’t until four kilometres out that Veelers made his move, together with two others in a bid to catch the lead-outs unaware. The move was a good one but the race was to come back together again for a bunch kick to the line.

After the finish, coach Addy Engels said: “We didn’t come away with a result today but the guys knew that had made the race hard and were in amongst the action. The plan was to go on the attack and Ramon did a strong ride out front all day. Once he was back in the peloton we wanted to try and surprise as we knew he would no longer be fresh for the sprint.

“Tom made a good move in the final kilometres and it looked promising but there were too many people keen to chase behind for a sprint so that didn’t last.”