Cycling: Laurens De Plus (Jumbo – Visma) took the green jersey from Tim Wellens (Lotto – Soudal) on the last day of the Binck Bank Tour. On the way to the wall of Geraardsbergen he got the upper hand in a highly tactical race. The day's win went to Oliver Naesen (AG2R La Mondiale).
Decision at the wall of Geraardsbergen
The end of the Binck Bank Tour 2019 should take place on a special course. From Sint-Pieters-Leeuw to Geraardsbergen, the 178,1 kilometer final stage led through Belgium. The notorious wall of Geraardsbergen had to be mastered several times. A total of 55 climbs were on the program after 14 kilometers. Sure had Leader Tim Wellens (Lotto – Soudal) his green jersey not yet. Finally had Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) and Laurens DePlus (Jumbo – Visma) are only eight and twelve seconds behind.
Wellens & Hirschi are watching each other
A few pros were able to gradually break away from the peloton, including Bob jungels (Deceuninck - Quick Step). But the Luxembourger was one of the first to be caught again due to a breakdown. Also his companions – including the German Nico Denz (AG2R La Mondiale) and the Austrian Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora – hansgrohe) – should not have any luck. Due to the numerous climbs, new groups were formed again and again. A peloton was no longer recognizable. Tim Wellens (Lotto – Soudal) and Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) were stalking each other but neither found much support from their teammates.
De Plus is the laughing third party
Even before the last crossing of the Bosberg Laurens DePlus (Jumbo – Visma) his attack. In greg van avermaet (CCC) and Oliver naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) he found two excellent companions. The climber was able to secure first place three times on the Golden Kilometer. He advanced through those bonus seconds Tim Wellens in the overall standings dangerously close to within five seconds. Marc Hirschi he could already overtake with it. So the leader – with no teammates by his side – was forced to set the pace himself. Marc Hirschi also went through the lead. But the trio was just too strong. Laurens De Plus unbuttoned Tim Wellens' jersey in the final meters of the Binck Bank Tour. Oliver Naesen secured the day's victory in a remarkable sprint.