Remco Evenepoel won the Druivenkoers in Overijse with an impressive solo. The speed rider of Deceuninck-Quick-Step stormed away from an elite group 60 km from the finish on the Smeysberg. The course was briefly neutralized by a fire, but it also held up after the restart.
–
Nine riders opted for the early break, including two Belgians: Aaron Van Poucke and Gianni Marchand. Also included: Frenchman Damien Gaudin, Norwegians Jonas Hvideberg and Iver Skaarseth, American Michael Garrison, Dutchman Niels Van Ekeren, Briton Reece Wood and Serb Velljko Stojnic.
At 70 km from the finish, Dries Devenyns continued, followed by Tim Wellens. But it was Remco Evenepoel who accelerated the fastest. Teammates Julian Alaphilippe, Tim Wellens, Christophe Laporte and Petr Vakoc went along. On the Smeysberg they already had the front runners. Laporte dropped out due to a flat tire and Kasper Asgreen joined in. Now they were three from Deceuninck-Quick-Step up front. The signal for Evenepoel to try a solo of 60 km. He soon built a gorge.
At 48 km from the finish (two more local laps) he was already a minute ahead of the peloton, which caught up with the rest of the elite group. Alpecin-Fenix, Lotto-Soudal and UAE Team Emirates took the lead in the chase and that hard work seemed to pay off, as Evenepoel’s lead dropped. At 30 km from the finish, after the Lanestraat, Evenepoel still had 30 seconds. Until he suddenly had to stop. The race was neutralized by a fire on the course and was halted for almost twenty minutes. The match was resumed after the fire brigade and emergency services got the situation under control.
Evenepoel was given a 35 second gift, with 27 kilometers to go. He was immediately in the right rhythm and built up his lead again. On the S-Turn, Bekestraat and Smeysberg he quickly went above and in the peloton, team mates Julian Alaphilippe, Kasper Asgreen and co.
Evenepoel survived the Moskesstraat and was again allowed to make the victory gesture. After stage and overall victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour and two stages and the overall win in the Tour of Denmark, this is the sixth victory this season for Evenepoel. And the 51st for his team.
Behind Evenepoel, Aimé De Gent and Mikkel Honoré drove away. Evenepoel’s Danish teammate abandoned his journeyman in the final phase and completed the Deceuninck-Quick-Step party with a second place. De Gendt came in third.
–
–
–
– .
