In a very tough and sweltering queen stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour, Quinten Hermans turned out to be the best rider today.
After a break of five riders, including Dries De Bondt, it was Hermans himself who declared the race open. At 70 kilometers from the end he attacked and got a group of fellow favorites with him.
Big absentee? Mads Pedersen. The Danish leader already noted in advance that he was going to have a hard time in the heat. Also number 2 Yves Lampaert was not in the leading group.
In addition to the tough course, the great heat was also a determining factor. Only kilos of ice and liters of water could provide solace. Mads Pedersen died several times in the peloton, but was able to return to the front every time. In the end he had to give up hope. The leader’s place would go to someone in the leading group.
In that leading group there was a fierce battle for the stage win. At the Wall of Durbuy Quinten Hermans was able to distinguish himself as a deserved winner. He had another sharp attack in the house, leaving Schmid and Wellens behind.
Schmid crossed the line four seconds ahead of Wellens, which meant that some serious calculations still had to be made. Mauro Schmid drove 5 hundredths faster than Tim Wellens in the time trial yesterday. Thanks to that result, he is (very) close to the lead!
The Gouden Kilometer can therefore still decide on the final win tomorrow.
