The Colombian carried the flag for our team on the opening day.
Filthy conditions – spitting rain which battered the peloton and strong winds – contributed to a tough start at the BinckBank Tour, but fortunately, despite the awful conditions and several cobblestone sectors, the 167.2km-long stage between Beveren and Hulst was a rather quiet one. That is, until the final kilometers, when the sprinters’ teams began making their way to the front of the peloton.
Four men attacked from the gun on Monday, when the 15th edition got underway, but several teams – including Deceuninck – Quick-Step – joined hands at the front of the peloton and controlled their gap, which didn’t exceed three minutes, and reeled in the last survivor of the quartet just three kilometers from the finish.
In the bunch gallop that ensued and was won by Sam Bennett (Bora-hasngrohe), Alvaro Hodeg took ninth place for his 13th top 10 of the season. The Colombian, still aged 22, will have another chance to fight for a good result at the BinckBank Tour as soon as Tuesday, when the race will travel to Ardooie.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen/ Getty Images
