Van der Poel wins Dwars door Vlaanderen

The Dutchman took it after 183.7 kilometers, with a start in Roeselare and arrival in Waregem, after a sprint with two against Tiesj Benoot.

Van der Poel, who also put Dwars door Vlaanderen on his palmares in 2019, shows with a win in this dress rehearsal that he is ready for Sunday’s Tour of Flanders. Benoot quickly felt that he was no match for the Dutchman and did not fully engage in the sprint. Britain’s Thomas Pidcock finished third ahead of Victor Campenaerts.

27-year-old Van der Poel succeeds the Dutchman Dylan van Baarle on the honors list. Dwars door Vlaanderen could not take place in 2020 due to the corona measures in force at the time. Yves Lampaert, who triumphed in 2017 and 2018, is the last Belgian winner.