Niels Albert unveils the new look, but it's Kevin Pauwels, just off screen to the left, who would rule the day
OTEGEM, BELGIUM – One day after winning the Belgian National Championship race in impressive fashion, Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) lined up with his fancy new Belgian-flag-colored kit on, with less than three hours of sleep after victory celebrations. Kevin Pauwels (Telenet-Fidea), on the other hand, felt that he had unfinished business after claiming third behind his teammate Bart Wellens on Sunday.
Pauwels narrowly outsprinted Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Revor), who took second. Sven Vanthourenhout came in for third some 25 seconds later, with Bart Wellens finishing just off of the podium. The lead trio came into the final lap together, and Vantornout was able to carve out a slight lead and looked to be on his way to certain victory. But after a bike change, the lanky rider was unable to quickly clip in to his pedals, allowing Pauwels to rejoin him at the front. Pauwels was then able to distance his rival in the mad dash to the line.
The victory is the second of the season for Pauwels, who also prevailed at the GvA Hasselt.
Albert enjoyed the ride and cruised in for 10th place. Sven Nys, who pulled out of the championship race yesterday, called in sick for today’s event.
Full Results:
1 Kevin Pauwels (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) BEL
2 Klaas Vantornout BEL
3 Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb – Revor) BEL
4 Bart Wellens (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) BEL
5 Jan Denuwelaere (Rendement Hypo Cycling Team) BEL
6 Dieter Vanthourenhout BEL
7 Kenneth Van Compernolle (Sunweb – Revor) BEL
8 Bart Aernouts (Rabo-Giant Offroad Team) BEL
9 Tom Van Den Bosch (AA Drink/ Leontien.nl) BEL
10 Niels Albert (Bkcp – Powerplus) BEL
11 Bart Hofman BEL
12 Björn Rondelez (Harvesterhude Rv) BEL
13 Kevin Eeckhout (Sunweb-Revor) BEL
14 Steven De Decker (Flemish Cycling Projects) BEL
15 Sven Beelen BEL
16 Gianni Denolf (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) BEL
17 Keiichi Tsujiura JAP
18 Quentin Bertholet BEL
19 Stijn Huys BEL
20 Angelo De Clercq BEL
21 Xandro Meurisse (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) BEL
22 Quincy Vens BEL
23 Yu Takenouchi JAP
24 Mathieu Willemyns BEL
25 Kris Lapere BEL
26 Steve Gruwier BEL
27 Ibe Vandendriessche BEL
28 Bjorn Peers BEL
29 Hikaru Kosaka JAP
30 Shaun Adamson (Cycle-Smart) CAN
31 Thomas Demets BEL
32 Ruben Janssens BEL
33 Jean Baptist Taleux FRA
