Gerben Thijssen wins Closing Prize in Zwevezele

The 148 riders set off this afternoon for 153 kilometers, spread over 16 rounds.

On the flat course there was a series of attacks, but despite all efforts no one got away. It took until well past the halfway point, and then the peloton finally broke, due to an acceleration by Stan Van Tricht, now with Soudal-Quick.Step and next year with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jacob Scott of Bolton Equities Black Spoke.

The flight inspired twelve others to join us. Jonas Rickaert and Gianni Vermeersch were present, but also three men from Intermarché, Baptiste Planckaert, Dylan Vandenstorme and Gerben Thijssen. Team Flanders was also represented by two, Aaron Verwilst and Alex Colman. Ceriel Desal was another striking name, just like that of the German Joshua Huppertz, the winner of Stekene yesterday.

To a sprint

They cycled together for forty seconds in one lap, but the race was not over yet. The peloton crumbled, and four laps from the end a first part followed at 25 seconds. That was the signal to accelerate at the front. Gerben Thijsen, Aaron Verwilst and Jonas Rickaert flew overboard. We kept nine leaders at the front, two more laps.

In the last round it also rained attacks. First tried Alexandar Richardson, the winner four years ago. Then Stand Van Tricht shook the tree, without success. What’s more, those released with Gerben Thijssen came back to join. So a sprint with thirteen leaders.

And Gerben Thijssen was by far the fastest. He beat Stan Van Tricht and Giani Vermeersch.