Wout Van Aert powers to Gent-Wevelgem victory from the breakaway

Wout van Aert took victory at Ghent-Wevelgem, beating sprint aces Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka-ASSOS), Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) and Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) from the breakaway

The Belgian made it into the front group after windy conditions caused echelons to form on the road with 100 km to go. Nine riders went away including Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Danny van Poppel (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert), Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), Nathan Van Hooydonck (Jumbo-Visma), Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious), Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange), Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka-Assos), Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) and Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) pass through the Menen Gate in Ypres  with a lead of 52 seconds on the chasers.

He attacked with 36kms to go on the final ascent on the Kemmelberg, Sam Bennett from Deceuninck – Quick-Step started to struggle and was sick due to stomach upset.

Behind the peloton chased in vain as the breakaway was whittled down to seve riders as Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Danny van Poppel (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert) were dropped.

In the final sprint van Aert proved to be the strongest, outsprinting Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka-Assos) and Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates).

Wout van Aert  won two stage victories at Tirreno-Adriatico, third at Milan – Sanremo, now taking his first one-day classic win with Ghent-Wevelgem.

VIDEO: 2021 Gent-Wevelgem Highlights

2021 Gent-Wevelgem Top 10

1          Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
2          Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Qhubeka-Assow
3          Matteo Trentin (Ita) UAE Team Emirates
4          Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
5          Michael Matthews (Aus) Team BikeExchange
6          Stefan Küng (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7          Nathan Van Hooydonck (Bel) Team Jumbo-Visma
8          Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Ineos Grenadiers
9          Anthony Turgis (Fra) Total Direct Energie
10        Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix