“Yes, it would have been nice if the finish had been 150 meters earlier,” said Wout Van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike). “I gave everything I could and was dying at the end. If someone overtakes me, that’s part of the race. Until the very last moment I thought it could just happen. I barely looked back and only cared about my own effort. But after the last corner, Ganna was there … .”
According to Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) it was not obvious. “Wout’s effort was impressive, so catching him was not easy. But my legs held up until the finish. This is a big victory for me.”
Offensive racing
Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull Bora Hans Grohe) from Roeselare thinks it is a shame for Van Aert. “It is a shame, of course, that he is beaten by Ganna, who is also just ahead. If he had to be overtaken and it was someone from the peloton who won, it would be a little less. I don’t know if you have tried it a thousand times today, but it doesn’t make much difference.”
“The intention was to race somewhat aggressively, but it was very difficult. I had hoped to be able to get away from the Eikenberg, because I know that is always a difficult climb for me. In the end I was in position, but Wout went just a little too fast and the effort of two minutes before was still in my legs.”
