Cycling Zdenek Stybar has the E3 BinckBank Classic to his name. The Church of the Deceuninck – Quick.Step was the fastest in a sprint with five. Our compatriots Wout Van Aert (2nd) and Greg Van Avermaet (3rd) shared the other podium places.
With the E3 BinckBank Classic, formerly E3 Harelbeke, is the ‘Holy Week’ started. By the nature of the course is the classic race is traditionally a dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders. There were 15 slopes of the Flemish Ardennes on the program, spread over 204 kilometers.
After 30 kilometers, there was a flight of eight. In addition were four Belgians: Jaime Castrillo (Movistar), Marc Hirschi (Sunweb), Thomas Sprengers (Sport Vlaanderen), Ludwig De Winter (Wanty), Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy), Stijn Steels (Roompot-Charles) and the team mates Aksel Nommela and Lionel Taminiaux (Wallonie-Bruxelles). They got a maximum lead of five minutes. At 85 kilometers came Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First) fall. He was in the graskant and was transferred to the hospital. The unfortunate West-Flanders seems to come without fractions, but with a bruised knee and ribs.
