Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert was at the start in Overijse for the Druivenkers (1.1, 26/08), which followed a part of the parcours for next month’s World Championships. The parcours of 192 kilometer was composed of two big loops containing the Lanestraat (1 km at 4%) in the beginning, and difficulties like the Smeysberg (0.7 km at 6%) or the Moskesstraat (0.5 km at 7,8%) in the second race half.
Eight riders colored the beginning of the race. Inside the last 100 kilometer, the advantage of the escapees was only a little over 1 minute. The battle between the favorites started on the second passage on the Bekestraat (0.4 km à 8,3%). Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck) managed to escape on the Smeysberg and started a solo with 60 kilometer to go.
After a neutralization because of a fire next to the road, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, one of the teams in charge of the chase behind the leaders, could rely on Biniam Girmay Hailu and Aimé De Gendt on the last passage on the Moskesstraat. From a group of ten riders and against the numbers of Deceuninck, the men from Hilaire Van der Schueren managed to achieve a podium spot on Belgian soil, the third one in three races. De Gendt finished 3rd, less than 1 minute after winner Evenepoel. Just behind, Girmay Hailu sprinted to 7th place.
I'm a happy man on the podium, because this 3rd place was probably the best possible result in such a strong field. Before the neutralization, we were well organized and focused on the final like the other teams. Unfortunately, the neutralization disorganized the chase, causing a series of attacks. On the one hand, it was a pity because the chances to catch Evenepoel decreased. On the other hand, I was happy with the situation because I needed to escape from the peloton to achieve a good result. I felt good, so I'm happy to be rewarded by a podium!
