Cycling: John Degenkolb (Trek – Segafredo) just missed out on winning Gent – Wevelgem 2019. The German was part of a group of around 40 men. In the sprint for victory, he was only beaten by the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates).
All Against Deceuninck - Quick-Step
Shortly after 11 a.m. the next semi-classic started in Deinze, Belgium. The 251,5 kilometer course demanded a lot from the pros, especially in the second half of the race. All the toxic climbs, including the Kemmelberg, which is the decisive factor between Gent and Wevelgem, stood in the way of the pros over the last 114 kilometers. Since the second crossing of the Kemmelberg was already 34,4 kilometers before the finish line and there were no more cobblestone passages or climbs to be conquered afterwards, the pavé experts, the breakaways and the classic sprinters were also able to calculate realistic chances of winning the day . Due to the numerous successes of the Belgian team Deceuninck - Quick-Step, all eyes were on the men in blue and white today. That was accordingly "wolf pack" also responsible for control in the peloton.
Peter Sagan gets active early
After an initially very large top group, a strong quartet has developed. Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe), Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott), Edward Theuns (Trek – Segafredo) and Mike Teunissen (Jumbo – Visma) gave Deceuninck – Quick-Step not an easy task to solve long before the finish line. But the Belgian team held back elegantly and let Direct Energie for the captain Niki Terpstra toil. But Luke Rowe (Sky) the pace was too slow. He went in pursuit alone and converted the quartet into a quintet. However, when the lead of the five strong breakaways had already grown to almost a minute, Deceuninck - Quick-Step finally joined in the tracking work. The group was captured. On the last 20 to 30 kilometers, there were constant attacks from a wide variety of drivers from the field of around 40 men.
Degenkolb only loses against Kristoff
A quartet broke away again in the last few kilometers. However, since the four pros did not agree unconditionally and several teams behind them wanted to close the gap, they came together 500 meters before the finish line. The sprint was then a clear affair for alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) who once again proves he is one of the strongest riders in the world in long and tough races. The German sprinted behind him John Degenkolb (Trek – Segafredo) before Oliver naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) in second place. Rüdiger Selig (Bora – hansgrohe) finished eighth.
Alexander Kristoff remporte Gand-Wevelgem 2019!
Un grand bravo au Norvegien! 👏🇳🇴#lequipeVELO pic.twitter.com/QU3pTmVnDn
— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) March 31, 2019