Results Tour of Flanders 2019
1. Alberto Bettiol (ita)
2. Kasper Asgreen (den) + 0.14
3. Alexander Kristoff (nor) + 0.17
4. Mathieu van der Poel (nld) s.t.
5. Nils Politt (ger) s.t.
6. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
7. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
9. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.
10. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) s.t.
Race report
Houle, Van Rooy, Touzé and Asselman race to a lead of more than 8 minutes before the peloton takes the reins.
Title defender Terpstra is forced to abandon after a crash before the halfway mark of the race.
On the Wall of Geraardsbergen – with 100 kilometres remaining – the lead of the four has fallen to 1 minute. A little later the peloton splits and the leaders are reeled in. Pre-race favourites Gilbert, Vanmarcke and Naesen wind up in the second group, although all big guns regroup with 65 kilometres remaining. Van der Poel punctures and hits the deck 5 kilometres later.
Vanmarcke and Vandenbergh strike on Oude Kwaremont. Asgreen rejoins them, while Van der Poel regains contact with the main group on the Koppenberg.
Van Baarle goes after the leaders to catch them with 43 kilometres remaining. The Dutchman pushes on with Asgreen and Vanmarcke after the Taaienberg.
Vanmarcke can’t follow the pace on Hotond. Van Baarle and Asgreen tackle the Oude Kwaremont for the last time with a 20 seconds lead, but they are brought back on the uphill cobbles. Bettiol goes on the counter-attack and he reaches the summit 10 seconds ahead of the chasers.
The Italian crests the Paterberg 18 seconds ahead of the others, who fail to join forces. Bettiol solos to victory, while Asgreen powers to second place. Kristoff wins the group sprint to round out the podium.
Other interesting reads: route and start list 2019 Tour of Flanders.
Tour of Flanders 2019: route, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom
Muur van Geraardsbergen interactive
#muurvangeraards…
streetview Muur van Geraardsbergen
Muur van Geraardsbergen at strava 