Cycling: joy and sorrow in the Visma – LaB team. Matteo Jorgenson won the one-day race Dwars door Vlaanderen. Previously, his teammate Wout van Aert had to retire injured after a fall.
Jorgenson attacks at the right moment
With a start 7 kilometers from the finish Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – LaB) secured victory in the one-day race Dwars door Vlaanderen. The American drove up to the breakaways in a strong group and was finally able to prevail with his well-timed attack. The pursuers secured second place in the sprint Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) from Norway ahead of the Swiss Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ). Although Küng seemed the strongest throughout the entire race, he was unable to reward himself at the end, also because he did the work in the group for long stretches - despite two men from Visma - LaB. The 78th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen took the professionals over 188,6 kilometers from Roeselare to Waregem. Numerous cobblestone passages and slipways ensured constant selection. A big crash around 70 kilometers from the finish further thinned out the field. Among other things, he had to be the top favorite wout van aert (Visma – LaB) left the race.
Two escape groups join forces
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024 was initially characterized by an eleven-man breakaway group. Also Nicholas Markl (dsm-unternehmenich – PostNL) was represented there. However, due to a flat tire, the German fell back into the peloton around the middle of the race. Even some of his companions couldn't keep up with the pace. A very strong group was then able to break away from the peloton and catch up with the leading group. The Swiss managed to make the leap to the top Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ), Michael Valgren (EF – EasyPost), Alberto Bettiol (EF – EasyPost), Tiesj Benoot (Visma – LaB), Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – LaB) and Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers). From then on, the two escape groups formed the new front of the race - eleven again.
The 11 early breakaways at Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024
- Nicholas Markl (dsm-unternehmenich – PostNL)
- Casper Pederson (Soudal – Quick Step)
- Dries de Pooter (Intermarche – Wanty)
- Mathias Norsgaard (movistar)
- Donavan Grondin (Arkea – B&B Hotels)
- Dries de Bondt (Decathlon – AG2R La Mondiale)
- Amund Jansen (Jayco – AlUla)
- Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto – Dstny)
- Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility)
- Thomas Gachinard (Total Energies)
- Victor Vercouillie (Flanders – Baloise)
Küng works too much and is not rewarded
22 kilometers from the finish Alberto Bettiol (EF – EasyPost) on Nokereberg the first attack of the newly formed leading group. The Italian's attack ensured further selection. Afterwards, he was no longer able to follow because he was plagued by cramps and was barely able to step. 7 kilometers from the finish Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – LaB) the decisive attack. The American took advantage of a moment of calm to attack from the slipstream. Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ), who had done far too much leadership throughout the race, could no longer react. The presence of Tiesj Benoot (Visma – LaB) - Jorgenson's teammate - also had a huge impact on the cooperation between the pursuers.
Van Aert falls and injures himself
The course of the one-day race Across Flanders was heavily influenced by a serious fall. Among other things, we had to wout van aert (Visma – LaB), Jan Tratnik (Visma – LaB), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché – Wanty) and Jasper stuyven (Lidl – Trek) give up injured. Particularly bitter. Wout van Aert held his shoulder and was even carried away on a stretcher. This suggests that the Belgian will probably miss the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris – Roubaix. This winter, van Aert prepared particularly intensively for these two races. Also fell Mads pedersen (Lidl-Trek). However, the Dane did not appear to be injured.
!!!
After the normal course of his co-equipment in the début of the course, Matteo Jorgenson was lucky enough to work with Tiesj Benoot file and win!#RVV ♂️ | #LesRP pic.twitter.com/I1nJfQyt2l
— QuotidienSport (@Quotidien_Sport) March 27, 2024
A huge crash in the leading group has taken down a number of favorites, including Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen and Biniam Girmay, at Dwars door Vlaanderen
Sending our best wishes to the riders who were involved in the crash. pic.twitter.com/hlfuZwhBZd
- Eurosport (@eurosport) March 27, 2024