After 75kms, the six had a lead of 5.16 and 2.55 after 100kms. Over the Nuewe Kwaremont and Kattenberg climbs and the cobbled section at Holleweg and the gap was holding steady.
However, on the Haaghoeck cobbles and the gap was down to 1.08 and on the Berendries climb, Philippe Gilbert put in an attack, followed by a small group and they caught the leaders to form a group of thirty rider with a lead of just over a minute going over the Valkenberg climb with 71.8kms left.
Twenty one riders were left in the break but not Kiel Reijnen of Trek Segafedo who crashed on the Elkenberg climb and had to abandon the race. This group had a 26 second lead and was one that Felline and Van Lerberghe tried to bridge.
Onto the Oude Kwaremont with a lead of forty four seconds for Gilbert Yves Lampaert, Luke Durbridge and Alexey Lutsenko, who were still clear going over the Paterberg.
Gilbert led them over the final climb with twelves kilometres to go and a lead of 1.14 but on the Herlegemstraat cobbles, Yves Lampaert got away and he stayed clear to take the victory ahead of Gilbert and Lutsenko.
Lotta Lepistö won the Women’s race ahead of Gracie Elvin and Lisa Brennauer.
Article by Kev Monks for Digital Sports Group.
Source: DSG
