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Tour of Flanders: Asgreen wins the round ahead of van der Poel

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Asgreen Flanders Van der Poel

Cycling: Kasper Asgreen has won the 105th Tour of Flanders. Somewhat surprisingly, the Danish champion defeated the Dutch champion Mathieu van der Poel in a direct sprint duel. With his first victory at a monument, the 26-year-old celebrates the greatest success of his career so far.

Asgreen Flanders Van der Poel

Asgreen sprints away from van der Poel

Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) did it! Although clearly inferior on paper, he could Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) in the sprint for victory today. The Danish champion refused to take the lead in the last kilometer in order to start the final sprint in a better position. With a significantly higher gear, he finally gave the Dutch champion no chance, so that he gave up completely before the finish line. After a long struggle, the two were able to at the Oude Kwaremont wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma) distance and finally decide the victory among themselves. Before that, there were always small selections. Ultimately, however, the two best drivers really seem to have prevailed today. Very strong presented themselves at this year's Tour of Flanders Stephen Bissegger (EF-Nippo) and Mark Haller (Bahrain-Victorious). While the Swiss was active in the escape group of the day and was the last fugitive to be caught, the Austrian was still right at the front in the decisive phase.

Denz & Bissegger in the breakaway group

Before the favorites got into action at the 105th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, a leading group of seven dominated the race. The Swiss Stephen Bissegger (EF – Nippo) and the German Nico Denz (DSM) have meanwhile been able to join forces with Jelle Wallays (Cofidis), Mathias Norsgaard Jorgensen (movistar), Fabio van den Bosche (Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise), Mathijs Paaschens (Bingoal – Pauwels Sauces BW) and Hugo Houle (Astana – Premier Tech) develop a lead of over 12 minutes. But on the 263,7-kilometre route from Antwerp to Oudenaarde, the challenges kept getting bigger. After a 100-kilometer roll-in phase without any climbs, there were still 19 slipways waiting for the pros. In addition, no fewer than 16 cobblestone passages had to be mastered on this year's Tour of Flanders. Due to the pace dictated by the teams Deceuninck - Quick-Step (today: Elegant - Quick-Step) and Jumbo - Visma, the peloton came closer to the escape group.

Marco Haller among the best

When the Oude Kwaremont was navigated for the second time, it came loose Stephen Bissegger from his companions. Behind them, the peloton tore into several parts. Deceuninck - Quick-Step pushed the pace and all the favorites had to react. In the meantime it worked Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) even shrugging off everyone and driving to the front of the last remaining breakaway. However, since there was still more than 40 kilometers to go, a larger group with all the favorites was able to catch up. Also included: Mark Haller (Bahrain-Victorious). The Austrian was even able to attack in the Mariaborrestraat section. Because of this, he was still in the first group after the next selection. Together with teammate Dylan teuns (Bahrain-Victorious), Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma), Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck – Quick Step) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) he entered the decisive phase of the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Asgreen surprises van der Poel

Although the pace really wasn't slow, the Frenchman managed it Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energy) to unlock with a tour de force. He has hardly succeeded in doing this Kasper Asgreen the next attack. 26 kilometers from the finish could only wout van aert and Mathieu van der Poel keep up with the Danish masters. At the last crossing of the Oude Kwaremont, the Dutch champion ignited the turbo. Mathieu van der Poel pulled away with his inimitable driving style. While Wout van Aert had to let him go, Kasper Asgreen managed to catch up again in the flat section. While the chasing group was being driven up by the group behind, the three-way battle developed into a duel right at the front. And since the two national champions could not distance themselves on the Paterberg either, there was a sprint for victory in Oudenaarde. However, contrary to what was expected, the sprinter, who was actually much stronger, did not prevail. Kasper Asgreen resisted so strongly that Mathieu van der Poel finally gave up. Third place went to a late attack greg van avermaet (AG2R - Citroën).

Wrangling & bottle throwing: 3 drivers disqualified

In the middle of the race, the sporting aspect of the Tour of Flanders briefly faded into the background. The jury had to intervene and disqualify three drivers. First afforded Yevgeny Fedorov (Astana – Premier Tech) and Otto Vergarde (Alpecin – Fenix) a tussle. They did this so obviously at the front of the field that the TV pictures recorded everything and the jury was finally able to react promptly. Irrespective of this, the Swiss later caught it Michael Schar (AG2R - Citroën). After throwing a bottle, he was also taken out of the race.

Tags:FlandersTour of FlandersKasper AsgreenMark HallerMathieu van der PoelNewsround of vlaanderenStephen Bisseggerwout van aert

More than Michael Behringer

Cycling with all its tactics, stage analyses, placements and forecasts are Michael Behringer's great passion. In 1996 he tracked his first Tour de France. Since then he has observed almost every race. His passion for cycling has been with him for over two decades. There is no end in sight.