Bad weather plays a big role in the outcome of the one-day race.
Over 200 kilometers, the iconic Muur-Kapelmuur – Bosberg combo twice and torrential rain that only made things even more challenging were the ingredients of the 103rd edition of Brussels Cycling Classic, which this year took place in early June instead of August or late September, as was the case in the previous seasons.
A rather large breakaway group attacked in the first hour of racing and worked well together, stretching their initial lead of one minute to almost eight minutes despite the atrocious weather. Having ramped up the pace on the climbs stacked in the final hour of racing, which reduced the escapees’ margin to just one minute, the peloton looked to be in absolute control, but the slippery roads played against them and somehow the attackers gave them the slip and fought for victory in Brussels, where Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) prevailed.
For Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, it wasn’t the best day at the office, as several of our guys had to stop during the race, including former Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner Davide Ballerini, who called it a day at the top of the Bosberg, and Stijn Steels, the latter after hitting the deck. Neo-pro Stan Van Tricht finished the race as our best-placed rider, part of the small bunch who concluded some 20-odd seconds behind the breakaway.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
