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Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) beat Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in a two-up dash to win Gent-Wevelgem for a second time.
The 2 had the race between them after breaking away from the pack on the ultimate climb of the day.
The Dane took the title in 2020, and joined the likes of Raymond Impanis, Briek Schotte, Frans Aerenhouts, Freddy Maertens, Guido Bontempi and Tom Steels as two-time winners of Gent-Wevelgem.
“I used to be not assured,” Pedersen stated when requested about his hopes of successful a dash end towards Van der Poel. “I needed to imagine that the dash was ok to beat Mathieu.
“I needed to attempt the dash and nothing else. It was a raffle.
“I took the entrance as I knew Deceuninck can be completely satisfied if the bunch got here again with (Jasper) Philipsen.
“I needed to hold the velocity excessive and hope that I had the legs for the dash.”
Pedersen made what proved to be his successful transfer when he attacked on the Kemmelberg for the ultimate time with a bit of over 30km to run. Solely Van der Poel might maintain the wheel – and the pair opened up a niche over a minute on the chasers
Van Der Poel, after being so dominant in successful the E3 Saxo Traditional on Friday, didn’t look in high form and referred to as the automotive for sustenance with 20km remaining.
The chasers obtained themselves organised within the remaining 15km and introduced the hole under a minute with eight kilometres left.
Regardless of trying a bit of uncomfortable, Van der Poel continued to take his activates the entrance, and the Dutchman and Pedersen saved the pack at bay and headed into Wevelgem with the race between them.
With a bit of over a kilometre to run, the thoughts video games started – and Van der Poel positioned himself on Pedersen’s rear wheel.
Pedersen was first out of the saddle, and Van der Poel joined him in battle.
Van der Poel pulled out of the slipstream with 100 metres to race and briefly obtained on degree phrases, however dipped his head in acceptance of defeat within the remaining metres.
A bunch end noticed Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) take the ultimate podium place.
The main focus will now flip to the second Monument of the yr, and Pedersen will head to the Tour of Flanders subsequent Sunday in a bullish temper.
“It’s a completely different race,” Pedersen stated on Eurosport. “I nonetheless imagine this race fits me higher than Flanders, however this confirms that the form is certainly good.
“I’m positively assured.”
Van der Poel will recharge the batteries for De Ronde after a troublesome week within the saddle.
“I want some days to get better from Friday and right this moment,” Van der Poel stated. “I actually suffered right this moment. I’m fairly completed now, so I want some relaxation.”
Stream high biking motion, together with the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, reside and on-demand on Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+.
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