cycling: Gent-Wevelgem 2017: Greg van Avermaet wins thrilling race

Cycling: Greg van Avermaet (BMC) won the 2017 edition of Gent-Wevelgem. The Belgian Olympic champion triumphed after a gripping race in the final third, defeating fellow countryman Jens Keukeleire (Orica-Scott) in the sprint. Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe) was able to secure the last remaining podium place after a strong performance.

What an exciting cycling Sunday! After a rather restrained start, this year's edition of Gent - Wevelgem literally exploded in the final third. The favorites let attack follow attack and gradually tore up the field. But one after the other: A leading group with nine riders was at the head of the field for long stretches of the long 247km - just under 30km before the finish at the last crossing of the Kemmelberg, which was almost 30% steep in places, the escape group was lost and took the race drive up. The favorites and their teams were there immediately and attacked. An extremely strong group was formed with Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe), Greg van Avermaet (BMC), Niki Tersptra (Quick-Step Floors), John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) and some other strong riders.

What followed was an exhausting elimination race with a gusty headwind again and again. The decisive attack of the day came from Orica-Scott pro Jens Keukeleire, who was joined by Peter Sagan, Niki Terpstra, Soren Kragh Andersen (Team Sunweb) and Greg van Avermaet. The other drivers missed the exit – John Degenkolb was among those who suffered. Things didn't go well for the second German hope either: Tony Martin (Katuhsa-Alpecin) fell before the Kemmelberg and his team-mate Alexander Kristoff also lost the connection after a technical defect - a frustrating day for Katusha-Alpecin.

As a result, the new top quintet pushed the pace enormously and opened up a considerable gap to the peloton within a few kilometers. However, with every second that the time cushion increased, unity in the group dwindled - small attacks and increased tempo required great vigilance. In the end it was Greg van Avermaet who was able to pull away with initiator Jens Keukeleire on the rear wheel. Sagan and Tersptra seemed to have underestimated the danger, but Andersen just couldn't do much to counter it - that was 10km from the finish. The collaboration between Sagan and Tersptra didn't work at all, since neither wanted to let the other go and the tempo was always delayed. Sagan in particular was visibly frustrated by the situation and so his solo attack, with which he tried to catch up with the two Belgians at the top, did not come as a great surprise. However, when this attack failed, the two-time world champion seemed to be out of breath and Terpstra was no longer able to set any decisive impulses.

Van Avermaet and Keukeleire, on the other hand, harmonized splendidly until the finish - the Olympic champion from the ranks of BMC opened the sprint and saved the lead over his compatriot to the finish quite confidently. Sagan won the pursuit sprint and can at least console himself with a podium finish.

Final result Gent-Wevelgem 2017