The Belgian was again our top finisher, just like in Amstel Gold Race.
Mauri Vansevenant took his first Monument top-ten on the back of an extremely solid ride in “La Doyenne”, which brought the Ardennes Week to a conclusion, but not before the weather decided to throw more freezing temperatures, rain and even snow into the riders’ way, thus making them work hard for a good result.
Eleven climbs and more than 4000 vertical meters was what the peloton had to face Sunday, when a breakaway formed minutes after the start. Neo-pro Gil Gelders, riding his first Monument, joined that move and impressed with the huge amount of work he put in there. The group went on to open a five-minute maximum gap which allowed them to stay off the front until 100 kilometers to go, when the catch was made.
A crash that occurred shortly after took William Junior Lecerf out of the race, while another incident – which took place just minutes later – split the peloton into several groups. The peloton numbered around 30 riders, and they quickly put a minute into the chasers, where we had Mauri Vansevenant. Sensing that the story of the race could be quickly written if things continued that way, Mauri got out of the saddle and attacked on Côte de la Haute-Levée. Joined by two other riders, the Belgian received reinforcements a couple of kilometers later, when Pieter Serry dropped back from the front group to help with the pace-setting.
The mammoth effort Pieter produced in those crucial kilometers led to a regrouping and put Mauri on course for his best result in a Monument. As the speed went up on the final hills of the day, the peloton got whittled down to some two dozen men, and from there Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) attacked on La Redoute and soloed to victory.
Vansevenant displayed the Wolfpack mentality and spirit, riding with both his legs and his heart as the chasing group fragmented under the numerous attacks coming from those hoping to get the minor podium placings. The 25-year-old Belgian, fourth at Amstel Gold Race last week, shut down two late accelerations and made sure he kept something in the legs for the final sprint, where a fantastic turn of legs netted him sixth in the center of Liège.
“I am happy with my result. Maybe I could have finished top five, but the sprint was very hectic, so there’s no reason for me to have any regrets. Top ten at this hard and prestigious race is a nice result that makes me proud. It wasn’t easy today, but I did my best and I had a strong Soudal Quick-Step team that supported me in the last part of the race, doing a great effort to help me come back after that crash. Sixth here gives me a lot of confidence, I feel that I have made another important step in my development, and now I can’t wait for the next races”, a delighted Mauri said.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
