Matthias Brändle has won the 77^th GP Stad Zottegem in Flanders, relegating Jempy Drucker (Accent.jobs - Willems Verandas) and Wouter Wippert (Lotto – Belisol) to the next places. The 22-year-old Austrian thus claimed the tenth victory of the season for Team NetApp.

A group featuring Matthias Brändle and 15 other riders was able to breakaway on the 182 km course. Even though the peloton tried to defend itself, the group did a great job and built up a lead of nearly three minutes. Nevertheless, some riders in the lead group had to pay tribute to the hilly course with narrow roads and fell behind in the final laps. Matthias Brändle launched his decisive attack two kilometers before the finish and was able to win the race.

"Matthias rode very smart today and pulled off a well-deserved victory. He got in the right group, valiantly defended his lead and attacked in the decisive moment shortly before the finish. Even though his lead was extremely close: a win is a win – and he and the whole team can be proud of it," said a satisfied Jens Heppner, Sport Director of Team NetApp.

"I am really happy. This was my first individual victory in a professional race. I knew that I had good legs today. That gave me so much self confidence that I was able to take a bit of a risk today and speculate on a victory," said the winner, Matthias Brändle.

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