Estonian Gert Joeaar of the Cofidis team won the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen in Belgium

10 March 2014 02:03

The last of this three day race in Belgium was a 185.9km stage from Nieuwport to Ichtegem.

Kohler, Jarrier, Wallays, Valley and Bagdonas launched the first major attack and after 39kms were 1.45 clear.

That maxed at 4.20 but was down to 1.30 with 89kms remaining on a sunny afternoon.

They were caught thirty kilometres later and a group of sixty riders controlled the race.

With 36 kilometres to go, Houle, Kreder and Vanspeybroeck attacked and were soon joined by British rider Andy Fenn, Alaphilippe, Lodewyck, Van Baarle, Ahlstrand, Gerard, Konovalovas, Vanlandschoot, Van Bilsen and Delfosse.

Barta and Van Keirsbulck bridge to this break to form a fifteen strong group which had a 21 second lead on the peloton going into the final twenty kilometres.

With five kilometres left, Omega Pharma Quick Step's Guilaume went away and held on to win the stage beating off Napolitano, Danny Van Poppel, Dillier, Hutarovich, Dehaes, Kreder, Scott Thwaites, Mezgec and Vermote.

Gert Joeaar of the Cofidis team finished comfortably and with his five second lead intact. he took the race win overall.

 

Source: DSG