Start signal
As always, it is early morning at our race. At a quarter past 10 o'clock this morning, the starting shot sounded in Ichtegem for just about 200 kilometres of racing, with Hooglede- and Gitsberg, Ruidenberg- and Lookhuisstraat providing the necessary salt and pepper. The start in Ichtegem made for a great crowd.
Flight of the day
Nine enthusiasts signed up fairly quickly for the flight of the day. Thibau Verhofstadt (Tarteletto-Isorex), northern neighbours Rick Pluimers (Tudor), Wouter Van De Weerdhof (Allinq) and Huub Artz (Metec-Solarwatt), Denmark's Emil Toudal (ColoQuick) the Spanish Carlos Canal (Euskaltel-Euskadi), the British Zak Coleman (VolkerWessels) and from over the oceans the New Zealander Ryan Christensen (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) and the Canadian Nick Zukowsky (Q36. 5). The peloton kept a tight control: 3' 20" was just about the maximum lead so everything seemed in the making for a bunch sprint at the renewed finish line at the Kop van de Vaart in Roeselare.
Everything to do again
On the second last climb of the Gitsberg, Wouter Van De Weerhof had to let go of the roll so an eight-man breakaway could be chased. There was some confusion in the peloton for a moment when Soudal Quick-Step tried to slap the rivals but everything was to be redone on the final lap. On the final obstacle of the day, the Gitsberg, Jaap Roelen of Metec-Solarwatt, had a Philippe Gilbert vision. He was joined by Jesse Kramer (Jumbo-Visma) but unfortunately for them, the finish line was not 2 kilometres away as in 2011, but in the centre of Roeselare.
Mass sprint
The mild chaos, typical of our final kilometres towards the victory flowers, did not cause a disordered sprint. For a while there seemed to be no limit to Caleb Ewan, but with a last effort Gerben Thijssen, managed to pull himself alongside Caleb and still claimed victory.
Top 5
1. Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché- Circus- Wanty)
2. Caleb Ewan (Lotto- Dstny)
3. Sam Welsford (Team DSM)
4. Hugp Hofstetter (Team Arkea- Samsic)
5. Piet Allegaert (Cofidis)
Read the full results HERE.
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