The 77th edition of Gent-Wevelgem was dictated by very grim weather conditions. Rain and gusts of wind up to 90 km/h caused an early split in the field and it saw several riders who abandoned the race at an early stage. BORA – ARGON 18 classics rider Scott Thwaites made it to a big lead group that gained a lead over other groups at a deciding echelon in the race’s middle part. The 25-years old British rider, third of Nokere Koerse lately, proved his great form by staying in that group till the finish.

The victory was arranged among six riders who attacked this lead group. Luca Paolini (Katusha) won ahead of Niki Terpstra (Etixx-Quick Step) and Geraint Thomas (Sky). Scott Thwaites finished in 17th place. A crash of Michael Schwarzmann overshadowed the race as he rode strongly until the crash and he was part of the selective field together with Thwaites. Schwarzmann fell on his rips and he also had to abandon the race.

”The character of today’s race had nothing in common with the Gent-Wevelgem that we know. The weather conditions were extreme. The results and the gaps show that we raced a real tough classics race here today. These conditions were way too grim for Sam [Bennett] who leads the team under normal circumstances. The guys did their best but some weren’t at 100% which one feels especially in the tough races. Scott and Michael raced very strongly today. Both were in front at the right time. It’s a very respectable result for Scott to finish in the Top20, on the highest level and under these conditions“, comments Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director of BORA – ARGON 18, after the classics.