A few weeks after his big win in the Tour de Pologne, Jonas Vangenechten continued his impressive season by winning the Druivenkoers Overijse. Having been on top things all race, Lotto Belisol did a perfect race before delivering their sprinter to the win.

Jonas Van Genechten won the ‘Druivenkoers’ in Overijse today. It’s the third victory for the Belgian this year, after Gullegem Koerse and the fourth stage of the Tour de Pologne.
 
Sean De Bie was part of a front group of 27 riders for a long time, which was formed after about ten kilometers. In the local laps they were all caught. Then Jelle Vanendert attacked. He got company of seven others, among them his brother Dennis. Also this break didn’t make it.

Vanendert was present in the decisive break later, together with Jonas Van Genechten. Trainee Oliver Naesen bridged the gap in the last kilometers and did great work for the team. He prepared the sprint for Van Genechten who won. Jasper De Buyst was second, Tom Van Asbroeck third.
 
“I was the leader for the sprint today, Jelle Vanendert could take his chance on the hills in the final," he said. "The course was tougher than expected, I knew it wouldn’t be a bunch sprint. In the final lap I made the race. I responded to an attack of Bjorn Leukemans. Together with Jelle I got in a small front group. Then it wasn’t done yet, because there was still a hill to cover and the peloton was close.
 
“On that last hill Oliver Naesen joined us. He rode for me until 500 meters of the finish. There were two fast riders of Topsport Vlaanderen in the group, but I knew I was in good condition and had confidence in myself so I started sprinting first.

"This is a race that suited me pretty well because I've been second and fourth here. The course was a little easier this year but I did not know if it would be decided in a sprint. In case of a ssprint finish, I was the leader, but I knew I had to be with the best guys to win. 

"Before the start, I thought that if the race was only on in the finale, I could survive the climbs. I anticipated on the last lap and I followed Bjorn Leukemans when he attacked. We were in a small group so everyone was working ahrd but I had to give everything in the last climb to hang on. 

"Some guys joined us, and I still had the freshness to win the sprint. Oliver Naesen rejoined us with a kilometre to go and he started to lead me out up until the 500 meters to mark . 

"It was really perfect. We always made ​​the right choices. There was someone in the break so we did not have to chase. Then we were in all the counterattacks, Jelle was in the break, and later in a chase group And finally we had Oliver Naesen.

"This is a victory that will help my contract for next year because I'm still in negotiations. I'll do the Brussels Cycling Classic and the GP Fourmies and then all Belgian races at the end of the season. It will either be for me or for André Greipel as he will also be there. That is normal. I stay motivated until the end of the year where I will do the Tour of Beijing."

"Topsport Vlaanderen had to ride because they had no one in the break, but I think that in any case, a team would have chased," Vanendert told Directvelo. "It didn't make it easier. We planned ​​the race so that we could focus on the sprint, but I could also attack. I saw that Jonas was good, but Bjorn Leukemans was strong too. It might be have been dangerous to go with him and to be beaten in the sprint, so we staked everything on Jonas and he finished the job beautifully."

"In the penultimate lap, seven riders escaped with two guys from the team," Naesen told Directvelo. "On the last climb, I was able to bridge the gap with Jerome Baugnies. When I got there, I started to ride on the front until 200 meters from the line. We did it and Jonas won, it's great. 

"My result is a bonus. It's fun to have someone on the team that wins, it's the first time I have been part of that since the start of my time as stagiaire. It's fun to go full gas and know that someone from your team will pass you and take the win."