Ghent-Wevelgem to Laporte, but van Aert lets him win: the ending is worthy of a Heart book. Ganna falls and retreats

A scene seen several times in the history of cycling but which always has an effect. At the Ghent-Wevelgem two riders from the same team (lto Jumbo Visma) go on the run. Perfect action, one might say scientific, between narrow streets and stretches of cobblestones. The captain is Wout van Aert, the lieutenant is Christophe Laporte. They make a vacuum and appear on the straight in total harmony, literally hand in hand. Van Aert, who had shown that he had more, steps aside. And France is back to win the Wevelgem after 26 years, the last one was Philippe Gaumont.

Right or wrong? Let’s go back to the history of cycling. More or less right in stage races, when the captain lets the follower win who has damned his soul for him. Historical example: Hinault who leaves the miss kiss to Bernaudeau in the Stelvio stage of the Giro ’80 after a joint action to parade the rose from Panizza. But for example the 1996 Roubaix, with the three from the Mapei Museeuw (who won), Bortolami and Tafi acting as valets without the possibility of being able to play it for flagship orders, still makes someone turn up their noses after so many years.

Anyway that’s how it went. If the strongest did not win, it is at least legitimate to say that the strongest won. All in a day characterized by extreme weather conditions, with rain, wind and cold. A situation that made the elimination race. He paid for it, among others, Philip Ganna, crashed very far from the finish and forced to retire. Luckily nothing broke two weeks before Paris-Roubaix. Finally, the third place for Sep Vanmarcke of Israel Premier Tech should be recorded: at least he did the sprint to get on the podium.