Ridden at a very high pace, the Belgian one-day race was won from a late attack.
One hour and 40 kilometers after the start of the 50th edition of Grand Prix Cerami, a break was finally established: Tom Devriendt (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Nicola Genovese (D'Amico Bottechia), Alexander Kamp (Team Stolting), Sean Lake (Avanti Isowhey Sport), Christophe Premont (Verandas Willems), Steven Tronet (Fortuneo-Vital Concept), Jimmy Turgis (Roubaix Metropole) and Antoine Warnier (Wallonie-Bruxelles) were the ones to enjoy some freedom at the front, before being reeled in by the bunch on the first lap of the circuit in Frameries.
At that point of the race, the peloton was already split in three, a result of the short and punchy climbs on the 211-km long course, so many riders tried their hand, attacking and hoping they will go all the way. The group reacted on more than one occasion, but it ran out of steam in the closing kilometers, when Jelle Wallays (Lotto-Soudal) broke clear. The Belgian couldn't be reeled in and took the honours, ahead of countryman Jerome Baugnies (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and UK's Christopher Latham (Team Wiggins).
The main chasing group rolled over the line 15 seconds later, and with it there was also Yves Lampaert. Grand Prix Cerami was the 25-year-old's first race after extending his contract with Etixx – Quick-Step last week, and the Belgian showed a good form and motivation, but eventually had to settle for 18th place. In the same time with him concluded teammate Guillaume Van Keirsbulck, who finished 20th.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
