The Belgian finished runner-up after an afternoon where Soudal Quick-Step was on the offensive.
Cériel Desal and Fabio Van Den Bossche launched the first attack of the day, as the the pair helped establish a large breakaway, before the race was reshaped again with 55 kilometers remaining. Fabio and Cériel were once more at the heart of the action, this time joined by teammate Gil Gelders in a dangerous nine-rider group that entered the penultimate lap with a lead of one minute over the peloton.
With three riders in the front group, Soudal Quick-Step continued to race aggressively deep into the finale. When another rider attacked inside the final seven kilometres, Gil was quick to respond, bridging across and bringing the group back together. Further attacks followed, but the leading group remained intact going into the sprint, where Gelders produced a strong finish to take second place behind Dries De Bondt (Jayco-AlUla), with Yentl Vandevelde (B-Close Bal-Enzo) completing the podium.
It was a strong attacking display from Soudal Quick-Step, with Fabio, Cériel and Gil all playing their part at the front of the race, and Gil eventually rewarding the team’s efforts with a runner-up finish.
