Cycling: The Geraardsbergen stage kept what it promised before. In the end, Greg van Avermaet (BMC), a classics specialist, won. Thanks to a time bonus, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Shimano) secured the overall lead.
Before the start of the stage, good news made the rounds. The defending champion Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), who fell badly in the final yesterday, did not suffer any serious head injuries or broken bones.
After that, as expected, outliers determined the events of the day. In the final, however, they were not granted any success. Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Belisol), Matteo Trentin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Pablo Lastras (Movistar) and Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff-Saxo) broke away early on, with Lastras and Trentin standing up to the field led by Belkin for the longest. In the field itself, Boom tried to catch up to the front. However, his increased pace was neutralized by Philippe Gilbert (BMC).
An illustrious leading group around overall leader Lars Boom (Belkin) went on the final kilometers. With three kilometers to go, Laurens De Vreese (Wanty-Group Goubert) picked up the pace. Input of Muur the Russian Pavel Brutt (Katusha) was able to catch up to him. But then the punchers in the field got serious - especially Van Avermaet. He irresistibly broke away from the remaining competitors and didn't give the top duo a chance either. This was also provided by the other favorites in the last hundred meters.
Tom Dumoulin finished second behind Van Avermaet. This was enough to take over the overall leadership of Boom. Third place for Brutt. Boom took fifth place.
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