World Champion Peter Sagan showed his strength at the semi-classic Ghent-Wevelgem.
The Slovakian professional cyclist prevailed in the sprint of a leading group after more than 250 hard kilometres and presented himself in excellent shape one week before the Tour of Flanders. The German drivers around John Degenkolb and Tony Martin had nothing to do with the race outcome.
Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) won after the ride over eleven poisonous climbs and some kilometres on a dusty natural road in front of the Italian Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) and the Frenchman Arnaud Demare (FDJ). It was the 28-year-old’s third triumph at one of the most important one-day races of the season: “A sprint is always a bit of a lottery, but I had the legs to pull through. I am very happy,” said Sagan.
Degenkolb was not 100 percent up to scratch after surviving the illness and Martin, too, is on his way to his great spring destination Paris-Roubaix (8. April) still work ahead. It thus remains with three German winners of the semi-classic. Degenkolb had won four years ago, Marcus Burghardt (2007) and Andreas Klier (2003) had been successful before.
German champion Burghardt (Bora-hansgrohe) did important work for his captain Sagan this time and put him in a good starting position in the final. Burghardt also set the pace a good 30 km before the finish and initiated the decisive group when crossing the Kemmelberg. Degenkolb and Martin just missed the jump to the top.
The numerous falls, as usual, had no serious consequences this time. Two years ago, Belgian Antoine Demoitie had a fatal accident at Ghent-Wevelgem after a collision with a companion motorcycle. This was followed by an intensive discussion on security aspects.