The 21-year-old Belgian produced a fine display on home soil.
Soudal Quick-Step Devo took its ninth victory of the year on Tuesday, when Lars Vanden Heede arrived alone at the finish of the Course de côte de Vresse-sur-Semois, a hard one-day race held in the province of Namur.
The 138.1km course consisted of several different laps, each of these featuring climbs that seriously tested the riders and fragmented the peloton. Lars was part of a six-man breakaway that formed just a few kilometers after the start and he continuously applied pressure there on his companions every time the road went up, a tactic which saw him reduce the move to just three riders by the time they entered the final lap.
Seventh at the Course de côte Herbeumont one week ago, Vanden Heede attacked on the last climb of the day, the Côte d’Orchimont, and immediately dropped his companions, building a substantial lead of more than half a minute by the time he arrived at the finish, where he celebrated his maiden success of the season.
“It was a tough race. I rode away with three other guys after just a couple of kilometers and we managed to stay out in front. I felt I was the strongest, so I made a late move and it was enough to secure the win. It feels great to get a victory after such a long time”, a happy Lars said after the race.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
