Bredene – Koksijde Classic
12:21 Bredene – 16:43 Koksijde
Despite a series of fans and an eager Arnaud De Lie, the Bredene Koksijde Classic turned out to be a sprint. Dylan Groenewegen started from afar, the Italian Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B) followed him to the finish.
2 sharp accelerations on the Kemmelberg, a phenomenal intermediate sprint to return to the first range and then thin things out further.
The troubled Arnaud De Lie was omnipresent in the Bredene Koksijde Classic and seems to have gradually shaken off the demons.
A bunch sprint seemed inevitable when 2 pelotons merged 30 kilometers from the finish.
Yves Lampaert tried to thwart the sprinter teams with a late lunge. But his attempt failed 2 kilometers from the finish.
In the final straight Dylan Groenewegen took the lead quite early. Not ideal with the wind blowing against us.
Luca Mozzato was clever in the wheel and passed Groenewegen with an ultimate jump. Defending champion Gerben Thijssen got trapped and ultimately had to settle for 3rd place.
Trendsetter Arnaud De Lie was also among the winners in the sprint, with 5th place as a reward.
Mozzato: “Winning the Classic in Belgium is very special”
For Luca Mozzato, it is the 3rd professional victory of his career after Binche-Chimay-Binche and a stage in the Limousin.
“I am very happy,” said the Italian from Arkéa-B&B. “This season hasn’t been great so far. But this victory changes everything.”
Mozzato was present all day and was part of the first fan. “I tried to save some energy during the race. That helped me to do a good sprint.”
As a child, Mozzato was an ardent fan of Tom Boonen. “Winning a classic in Belgium is very special for me.”
Result Bredene – Koksijde Classic
Phase by phase
Top 10
1. Severed
2. Groenewegen
3. Thijssen
4. Consonni
5. De Lie
6. Liepins
7. De Kleijn
8. Dupont
9. Hofstetter
10. From Gestel
Cut off wint!
Like a devil out of a box, Mozzato still slips past Groenewegen. The Dutchman took the lead too early and was disappointed.
A nice victory for Arkea-B&B, which saw Capiot crash to the ground in the last hectometers.
Groenewegen attacks from afar.
The sprint is gradually being introduced.
A fall involving a Lotto rider causes a stir.
Another 700 meters
Sinkeldam tries to put a stop to the sprinter teams with a late exit. But in the last straight line there is a headwind.
Last kilometer
The sprint trains guide their fast man forward. Thijssen is still a bit far. Not Taminiaux but De Lie will sprint for Lotto-Dstny.
Another 2 km
Lampaet believes in the victory, Patrick Eddy finally takes over.
There is a bit of silence in the peloton. 5 second lead for 2 kilometers.
DSM and Intermarché have jammers at the front, but Lampaert drives away
Lampaert away with Eddy
Lampaert gives it another go when Lotto-Dstny brings the peloton closer again.
Only Patrick Eddy (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) can follow Lampaert.
Another 5 km
The peloton is 7 seconds behind the 5 leaders.
Lampaert, Hoole, Politt, De Pooter and Patrick Eddy are the men who extend a hand to victory.
If Politt, Lampaert and Hoole keep driving, you have work to do behind it.
Joseph De Cauwer
Are sprinters being fooled?
Behind the 5 leaders, an Intermarché-Wanty pawn tries to straighten out the lopsided situation.
Five in the lead
Lampaert bridges the gap to the Politt group. We suddenly have 5 leaders, including Daan Hole and Dries De Pooter.
Another 10 km
Intermarché-Wanty takes the reins for Gerben Thijssen. They won’t let anyone drive away anymore.
Not even the tireless Politt, who shakes the tree again.
I see a lot of drawn faces.
Karl Vannieuwkerke
De Kleijn back after bike change
With a brand new bike, the Dutch sprinter is piloted forward by his teammate Maikel Zijlaard.
One more lap of 11 kilometers!
Arvid De Kleijn changes bikes and has to fight his way back to the leading group
Another 15 km
De Kleijn, Groenewegen, Thijssen… The fast men all station themselves at the back of the group.
Is anyone else planning an attack? Or will it be an imperial sprint?
2024-03-15 16:54:23
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