The 108th edition of Scheldeprijs (1.Pro, 07/04), which makes it the oldest Belgian spring classic, was ridden today. The peloton left in the Dutch city Terneuzen for a race of 194 kilometers on a renewed course. Last year this traditional race for sprinters was limited to the finish area in Schoten, of course due the Covid19. Today the riders crossed the Dutch province South-Beveland to litterallyr race to the local circuit in and around Schoten.
After a little more than fifteen kilometres, after leaving the Western Scheldt Tunnel we already saw the first echelons were being formed. The bunch was immediately split into two big groups. But this situation didn’t last long, due to the stiff wind there suddenly were more and more different groups. The riders were spared from hail and snow but meanwhile a lot of riders crashed. Many of them had to abandon the race. One of them was our Dutchman Taco van der Hoorn, who was at that moment in position to follow the best riders of the race. He left Scheldeprijs out of precaution.
The peloton had started to calm down a bit and got divided into different groups again. This time thirteen riders joined forces. Danny Van Poppel was accompanied by fast guys such as Ackermann, Bennett and Philipsen. After chasing them for a few kilometres, seventeen riders joined them so this made a group of thirty. The collaboration in this group went smoothly so no-one would close the gap anymore. The thirty leaders were going to battle for victory.
Belgian Jasper Philipsen won the sprint Deceuninck-Quick Step took the rest of the podium spots with Sam Bennett and Mark Cavendish.
Danny Van Poppel:
«Today’s race was very nervous. In Zealand it was echelon time.
- Jasper Philippsen
- Sam Bennett
- Mark Cavendish
- Danny Van Poppel
