Unsurprisingly it was a sturdy rider who ended up winning this mini Liège-Bastogne-Liège through the roads of Yorkshire. After winning this year’s Brabantse Pijl, Ben Hermans knew what he was doing. Again winning solo, the BMC rider had nine seconds in hand at the finish line in Leeds, ahead of teammate Greg Van Avermaet. For the IAM Cycling riders, they also showed a degree of aggressive spirit courtesy of Sondre Holst Enger who took part in the main breakaway of the day, and did his best to stay a few steps ahead of the charging peloton.

Mario Chiesa impressed upon his riders the importance of having a man at the front during their team meeting before the stage. 

“We had to be at the front for a stage like this. Little by little the group of seven riders formed and Sondre Holst Enger was among them, so that worked well. He held on until about 40 kilometers from the finish where the peloton swept him up. It was a very difficult stage. There was a selection every kilometer and when the main group caught up to the leaders there were only forty riders in the peloton, with four IAM Cycling guys among them. They did everything they could, so I am happy.  This race was on another level. I have no regrets.”

This event marked Sondre Holst Enger’s return to competition after three months without racing, so he was reunited with the feeling of spending the day at the front. But this escape was also useful as a real test to give him the opportunity to judge where he stood in his preparation. 

“I’m happy because I was able to follow the instructions that were set out this morning for us before the departure,” Holst Enger said. “I tried to hold out as long as I could, but it was impossible to go all the way. However, I will remember the impressive roadside crowds from this Tour de Yorkshire. They offered a lot of encouragement and it always is nice to race in these conditions.”