Tim Merlier wins Nokere Koerse after chaotic final phase

A group of seven including the Belgians Ludovic Robeet (Bingoal WB) and Jonas Geens (Tarteletto) started an early breakaway and led for a long time. During the race, the peloton was also shocked by a few crashes. The early escapees were caught around 30 kilometers from the end.

Under the impulse of Lotto-Dstny, they controlled things and increased the pace in the final phase, resulting in a slip by Victor Campenaerts. Afterwards there are several escape attempts by Jasper De Buyst, among others, but he is also caught.

Vanmarcke in ultimate flight

In the last few kilometers Florian Vermeersch slips away with Sep Vanmarcke and the New Zealander Laurence Pithie. The three persevere until one kilometer before the finish line. also because the peloton is disrupted twice by a crash. Gerben Thijssen, among others, sees his sprint opportunities disappear.

Merlier untenable

In the last hectometres, Merlier and co come storming up. They go up and over the three escapees. No powder has been washed against Merlier and he wins so convincingly with a scorching final sprint. With this, Merlier succeeds himself as the winner. Sep Vanmarcke is the first West Fleming in sixth place, just ahead of Izegem’s Louis Blouwe.