Jannik Steimle comes home as the team’s top finisher.
The 76th edition of the Belgian semi-classic packed in 13 climbs, spread over a new course that provided plenty of occasions to the attackers to open up the race from the distance and take out of contention the sprinters.
The first big moves came 90 kilometers from the finish, and although they were quickly nullified by the peloton, things didn’t stop there, more and more riders trying their luck every time the road went up. Yves Lampaert and Zdenek Stybar were both involved in such attacks, but despite their valiant efforts, none of these actions could stick.
Eventually, six men rode away inside 50 kilometers to go, caught the original breakaway and from that group Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) took the win. Jannik Steimle finished part of the bunch in 14th place, an encouraging result in what was just the second appearance in a World Tour cobbled classic for the 25-year-old German.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
