76th Dwars door Vlaanderen – (ME 1.UWT) Roeselare>>Waregem (184.1km)
Dylan van Baarle (Ineos) has won his first big spring semi-classic. He took off like a rocket on his tod just over 50 kilometers from the finish in Waregem. He benefited not only from his strong legs but also from the shadow play between the favorites behind his back.
What a stunning solo we witnessed on TV…Christophe Laporte was just ahead of the sprinting peloton, Merlier was the fastest of the pack. .. Did favorites such as Van der Poel and Alaphilippe maybe hide and seek, or just no legs on the day…Mathieu VDP said in his interview “I would have preferred to race for the win, but that was just not possible with my legs.” My thoughts >> This was a general rehearsal for the big one this Sunday ( De Ronde Van Vlaanderen) and anyone could have a bad day …better now than on Sunday I suppose! It doesn’t take away the brilliants of Dylan’s win…a hard-working pro mostly as help to others…well deserved!!<< Our only Irish representative Ryan Mullen did not finish this time.
