A few months before his WorldTour debut with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Yves Lampaert proved that he is ready for his upcoming challenges when he won today's Arnhem-Veenendal Classic in solo fashion. The Belgian felt strong all day and benefited from the presence of his teammate Tom Van Asbroeck in the final breakaway.
After splendid rides in the classics, Yves Lampaert was rewarded for his big talent earlier this month when Omega Pharma-Quick Step announced that they had signed the young Belgian. Today he proved himself worthy of his new status as WorldTour rider when he won one of the biggest Dutch one-day races, the Arnhem-Veenendal classics.
Traditionally a race for sprinters, the race was made harder by a tougher course and torrential rain that made it difficult to keep things under control. All day, Movistar and Belkin were working to set up a bunch sprint but on the final climb a 10-rider group got clear, with Lampaert and Tom Van Asbroeck representing Topsport Vlaanderen.
All the major teams were represented in the group and this made it possible for the break to stay clear despite a lack of cooperation. With 7km to go, Lampaert launched a well-timed move and he managed to hold off his chasers to take a big solo win.
"I would attack and Tom was our trump card if it came back together for a sprint," he told AD.nl "I soon realized that it was the best strategy with the many riders in the peloton and breakaway, and I felt strong. It's nice to win such a big race."
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