Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel put a spectacular comeback on the cycling stage four months after his serious training accident.
At the Belgian single -day race arrow from Brabant, the local hero clawed the victory in its first race of the season.
After 162.6 km over hilly terrain in the final sprint, Evenepoel (25) surprisingly triumphed in front of his Belgian compatriot Wout van Aert (Visma – Lease A Bike). The two top favorites were bent as a two -person top group on the home straight – even Evenepoel (Soudal Quick -Step) put on the sprint and left van Aert, who has often been able to distinguish himself as a strong sprinter in the past. Third place went to António Morgado from Team UAE Emirates-Xrg.
“It is incredible. I knew that I was in a good mood. But being back here on a course that doesn’t suit me 100 percent – and then also beat Wout in the sprint …” said even at the finish: “Over the years I have become a little more explosive.”
Previously, Evenepoel had gone to the initiative around 50 km before the end of the race. Only van Aert and the strong Briton Joseph Blackmore were able to follow the attacks of the Belgian. Blackmore finally fell victim to a further pace sharpening of the two top drivers who made the victory among themselves.
Evenepoel has had “hardest fight”
Evenepoel had suffered in early December after a collision with a post -bus fractures on the rib, the right shoulder blade and the right hand. In addition, he contracted the lungs and a dislocation of the right -wing keybone. Shortly before his comeback, even before his comeback spoke of the “hardest struggle” of his previous life – he was physically and mentally “on the ground,” said the Belgian.
After his strong comeback on Good Friday, Evenepoel also plans starts at the Ardennes classics Amstel Gold Race, Flech Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The big goal of the time trial world champion is participation in the Tour de France in July.