The Belgian is on track to rack up another top ten finish in a stage race.
Gil Gelders is having a solid week in Germany, and the 21-year-old doesn’t lose any opportunity to show it. As the race heads into the weekend and the terrain gets rougher, the best young rider of the Okolo Slovenska is showing his potential and guts by attacking and getting involved in the main moves that are shaping the race in its crucial moments.
This was the case on Friday, when a strong group went clear in the last 25 kilometers. Sensing the opportunity, Gelders got out of the saddle and bridged across to the leaders thanks to a valiant effort. The Belgian was one of the strongest riders there and didn’t spare any energy when it came to helping the group extend their gap to almost twenty seconds with two hills left on the course.
Things looked good for the attackers, but the bunch somehow managed to bring them back with two kilometers to go only for another group, this time comprising just four riders, to zip away. From that quartet, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) sprinted to victory, while Soudal Quick-Step’s Luke Lamperti finished in 11th place from the small peloton that arrived six seconds later. Gelders was also there and gained two positions in the standings, where he is now eighth.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
Gil Gelders 