Dries De Bondt wins Izegem Race

The conditions are tropical in Izegem and the race is already exploding in the first rounds. Five riders immediately ride away, including Senechal, Vercouillie, and David van der Poel. Nine riders join one lap further, with Van Lerberghe, Wallays, De Bondt and Marchand. Halfway through the race they have a lead of about a minute over a second group, with Segaert, Warlop, Bastiaens, Marit, Desal, Dupont, Vermote and Leroux. We can then write off the rest of the platoon.

After just over five laps, seven leaders remain. One pair of Van Lerberghe and Senechal, and furthermore De Bondt and Wallays and then Vandenstorme, Van der Beken and Vercouillie. The second group follows two minutes later.

We have to wait for the right attack. Dries De Bondt takes care of this in the last round. Senechal notices the danger, he is able to pounce and immediately takes over. The only one still connected is Vanderbeken. For a while because it’s going too fast. De Bondt and Senechal go to the finish together. De Bondt starts in the lead, Senechal seems to remount him, but De Bondt has enough left. Bert Van Lerberghe crosses the line in fourth place a few seconds later. He is also a provincial champion among the pros.