The last Belgian classic of the season was won after 202 kilometers by Adam Blythe (BMC), ahead of Adrien Petit (Cofidis) and John Degenkolb (Argos Shimano).

With rainy autumn weather, the race was already shaped early on by many attacks. As a result, the peloton was split up several times. First, a large group of 40 riders drew away from the rest, before the gap was again closed and some 20 riders were again able to pull away. The hectic nature of the race was unfortunately intensified by many defects and falls, in which many Team NetApp riders were also involved. Only Leopold König and Bartosz Huzarski were able to go to the final laps with the favorites.

“Today was one of those days that the team just doesn't need. Five of our eight riders were involved in falls today. It happened to Cesare Benedetti and Jerome Baugnies right at the start of the race; then later to Andreas Dietziker, and to Reto Hollenstein and Michael Schwarzmann two laps before the finish. A bad day, which fortunately didn’t cause any serious injuries,” said Enrico Poitschke.

For the riders now, recovery is the name of the game, before the team begins the French fall classic Paris – Bourges on Thursday in the same line-up. Only Jerome Baugnies will be making the journey home already in order to receive medical treatment, and will thus not be available for the next race.

 

Website of the race