Niki Terpstra continued Quick-Step Floors’ domination of the Belgian Classics with a solo win in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. The Dutchman jumped clear over the top of the Kruisberg after Milan-San Remo winner Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) attacked.
Terpstra dropped the Italian and then also powered past a trio of riders from the early breakaway on the Kwaremont. Despite a chase from a group containing Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) and last year’s winner Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) over the last two climbs, Terpstra was able to hold on for the win.
Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) secured second place after surviving from the break, as Gilbert capped another excellent day for Quick-Step with third place.
ADVERTISEMENT
Terptra’s attack mirrored the move he made in the 2015 edition of the race, but unlike three years ago he didn’t have Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) for company.
“It's a dream come true," Terpstra said tearfully before celebrating on the podium. "Winning Paris-Roubaix and now the Tour of Flanders... Those two races were always a big dream for me when I was young kid. I was already crazy about those two races. Now they're both on my palmares. I can't describe how happy I am."
The win continues Quick-Steps’ dominance this season. The Belgian outfit, who started the race with four cards to play, have now won Le Samyn, Dwars door West Vlaanderen, Handzame Classic, De Panne, E3 Harelbeke, Dwars door Vlaanderen and Flanders. Few would bet against them winning next week in Paris-Roubaix.
How it happened
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Race Results http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-2018/results
No comments:
Post a Comment