The GP Monseré 2022 was won by Arnaud De Lie. After a 203-kilometre course between Hooglede-Gits and Roeselare, the 19-year-old sprinter from Lotto Soudal was first at the finish, ahead of Dries De Bondt (Alpecin-Fenix) and Hugo Hofstetter (Arkéa-Samsic). De Lie succeeded Tim Merlier in the Exterioo Cycling Cup stage.
The first breakaway included Thomas Joseph (Minerva), Robbe Ghys (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Robin Orins (Elevate p/b Home Solution Soenens), Jon Knolle (Saris Rouvy Sauerland) and Robert Scott (WiV SunGod). They were joined halfway through the race by a sixth rider in the person of Jonas Hvideberg (Team DSM). The lead of the six was up to five minutes.
Because the leading group had to stop for a closed level crossing, the lead dwindled to less than a minute within a short time. Sprinters' teams Lotto Soudal and Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise therefore held their legs a bit still, to give the leaders some extra space.
Peloton thins out in the closing stages
Entering the final local lap (a 50-kilometre circuit through Roeselare, Hooglede-Gits, Kortemark, Koekelare, Ichtegem, Torhout and Lichtervelde), the gap was just under a minute and a half. That lead dropped at lightning speed when trains were put on the rails in the peloton. There was considerable nervousness as the wind also played a role. A regrouping followed at 19 kilometres from the finish.
Arkéa-Samsic and Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl took the lead in the peloton, which by now had thinned out considerably due to the wind, the succession of short climbs, cobbled sections and narrow roads. On the final Gitsberg, Ludovic Robeet placed an attack, riding away from the rest by eight seconds. However, at one and a half kilometres from the finish, he was caught again.
In the final kilometre, Lotto Soudal pulled off the sprint and it turned into a sprint between Arnaud De Lie and Hugo Hofstetter. The Belgian sprinter, who also won in Mallorca earlier this season, was well ahead and was able to cheer in time. Dries De Bondt finished second with a nice jump, ahead of Hofstetter.
Pic.: Cor Vos
