Tom Van Asbroeck was beaten by André Greipel in the bunch sprint at the end of the GP Jef Scherens yesterday. The Belgian was able to put his disappointment aside as he scored important points for the UCI Europe Tour which he currently heads.

One week ago André Greipel won the Brussels Cycling Classic and made it clear that he wanted to use his good condition to support John Degenkolb at the World Championships. Yesterday he gave the German national coach another good reason to select the Lotto Belisol captain when he won the GP Jef Scherens in a bunch sprint.

However, it was never a given thing that the hilly race in Leuven would be one for the sprinters. The race was very aggressive and Lotto Belisol were always part of the action. When things came back together with 35km to go, however, they decided to work for Greipel who paid them back by beating Tom Van Asbroeck and Danny Van Poppel in the final dash to the line.

"I have mixed feelings," Van Asbroeck told Directvelo. "I'm happy to take points for the UCI Europe Tour, but I'm also disappointed not to win. I've been second so many times this year. The big focus right now remains the Europe Tour, so I'm more happy than disappointed. 

"André Greipel is the strongest in the sprint, he is older and has more strength. I should not be ashamed to lose to him. He was the man to beat today. Unfortunately, he was too strong. 

"Lotto made ​​a big train, but we had such a strong team today. We also did a great job all day. Wehad a guy in front because we absolutely wanted to avoid having to chase. It was successful. I will still ride the race in Koolskamp and maybe Impanis and Gooik too."