2024-03-28 18:42:26
“Dwars door Vlaanderen” introduced this Sunday’s legendary cycling tour of Flanders. This competition is also given the highest category – world tour. Cyclists covered a distance of 188 kilometers with 12 categorized climbs and ten paved sectors. There were also narrow roads and side winds.
Toms Skujins was among the leading forces of “Lidl – Trek”. The start of the season has been almost perfect for this US team, as evidenced by being in second place in the UCI world team ranking. In addition, it is the classic units that have experienced the greatest growth. Meanwhile, Christ Neiland earned one of the key leadership roles in the Israel Premier Tech unit with his work and results.
At the beginning of the race, the day’s breakaway was completed, which gave the peloton only about a 3-minute handicap. Skujin’s team with the famous “tractor” Tim Decler took control of the peloton, approaching the first sectors. Narrow roads and crosswinds also split the peloton into smaller groups.
A major turning point occurred 65 kilometers before the finish, when a very large and heavy fall occurred in the group of favorites. The men of “Lidl-Trek” were particularly hard hit. Jasper Streven, the famous Mads Pedersen and one of the biggest helpers, Alex Kirsch, remained lying on the asphalt. Toms Skujiņš narrowly avoided falling, but lost time and positions. Wout van Aart also entered this fall and withdrew from further fights.
The tenacious Tsarnika with another competitor overtook the group in front, which also included our other driver Krist Neiland and Tom’s teammate Yonatans Milan. Even before that, a new group of leaders had formed, in which the men of “Visma Lease Bike” had the numerical advantage. It was this sextet that determined the fate of the winner.
The drivers of “Visma Lease” – Tyš Benonts and Mateo Jorgensons – tried to outwit their competitors tactically. Jorensson’s attack in the last ten kilometers proved to be decisive. The US driver did not miss his lead and won a beautiful solo victory. He spent 4 hours 7 minutes and 44 seconds on the track. The Norwegian Jonas Abrahamsen (“Uno – X Mobility”) won the second place, while the solo rider Stefan King (“Groupama – FDJ”) completed the top three.
Toms Skujiņš and Krists Neilands finished in the following group, which was 2 minutes and 7 seconds behind the winner. Tom finished in 28th position, and Krist in 29th position. Both earned 12 UCI World Ranking points each. 135 out of 175 participants finished.
On Sunday, we will see Krista and Tom on the famous Flanders bike ride.
2024-03-28 18:42:26