Van Baarle takes long range win at Dwars door Vlaanderen

31 Mar 2021

Van Baarle takes long range win at Dwars door Vlaanderen

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Dwars door Vlaanderen, 184.1km

Dylan van Baarle secured one of the biggest victories of his career with a rousing solo victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen.

The Dutchman launched a move early heading on to the Berg-ten-Houte climb, opening up a gap ahead of the final 50 kilometres.

With a chase group behind unable to get organised, the Grenadier stabilised the gap at around half a minute and time trialled to the finish in Waregem, with an eventual winning margin of 26 seconds.

The result continued Van Baarle's strong Classics campaign thus far, and showed a great indicator of form heading into Sunday's Tour of Flanders. It also marked the first time the team has taken victory in the semi-classic.

The front-foot racing approach was also embodied on the day by Ethan Hayter. The young Brit launched an early attack off the front of the race before the climbs arrived, and used his positioning well to ride into the finish in a chase group before eventually finishing 11th.
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Reaction

- Dylan van Baarle

"Last year was a difficult year with everything that happened. 

"We’ve approached the Classics a little bit differently this year. We’re attacking them much more and it’s nice - it’s nice to race like this. I’m happy that I could finish this off.

"To win a semi-Classic is super special. It’s high on my list, up there with the stage I won in the Dauphine."
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Final result:

1. Dylan van Baarle (INEOS Grenadiers) 3:58:59
2. Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) +26"
3. Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) s.t.
4. Yves Lampaert (Deceuninck-Quick-Step)
5. Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Team Emirates)
11. Ethan Hayter (INEOS Grenadiers)