After a 20 kilometres solo ride, Maarten Tjallingii triumphed in Saturday’s second and final stage of the World Ports Classic in Antwerp. The Belkin Pro Cycling Team rider was part of a break, but decided that the best shot he had for the victory was an early attack. And he was right. 

"The collaboration in the break was not good, and with 20 kilometres to go, I thought, I’m just going to give it a try," said Tjallingii. "I quickly took twenty seconds and thought that if the wind was in my favour, I really had a chance." 

The wind turned out to be in his favour. Cranking away in his big ring, Tjallingii arrived at the line in Antwerp with a three-second lead on the other attackers. "With two kilometres to go, I had ten seconds," Tjallingii explained. "That’s when I really started believing in the win. Under the red flag, they were still quite far behind. At the moment, I started sprinting and was able to hold on to my lead.” 
 

A successful weekend    

Maarten Wynants was in the group of sixteen attackers and ended up seventh. "Just when I told Wynants that Tjallingii should attack and that he had to gamble on his sprint, Tjallingii took off," said Sports Director Jan Boven to Belkin’s webpage. “It looked as if he attacked a bit too early but he was very strong. The second day here suited us, last year we won secend stage as well. It’s been a successful weekend.” 
 

Tjallingii thought of abandoning

The victory came as a surprise for Tjallingii, who did not feel well during Friday’s first stage.

"Yesterday I was thinking about abandoning. You can hear it on my voice, I'm still not one hundred per cent at the top. That’s why I lost some time yesterday," Tjallingii added. 

"I’m glad I pulled through, this is my best victory in a long time. I want to dedicate it to my son. He told me this morning, 'Do well on the bike, Dad!" 

The overall victory went to Omega Pharma- QuickStep’s Nikolas Maes. Tjallingii and Wynants concluded the World Ports Classic in 11th and 12th place.