ProTeam Alec Segaert takes his first pro victory in the GP Criquielion

Next to the racing at the Strade Bianche, there was also the GP Criquielion in Belgium, which brought the riders from Ath to Lessines over 200 kilometers.

In Lessines there were still 5 local laps with two cobblestone sectors. 5 riders got in the early breakaway, once they entered the local lap, Xabier Azparren went solo from the break. On the last time Côte du Mont everything came back together again, the sign for two other riders to try their chance.

On 4,5 kilometers to go, also their song was sung. Alec Segaert reacted on an attack of Henri Uhlig, on 2 kilometers from the finish. In the bunch behind Segaert, Lotto Dstny had a second card with Milan Menten in case it came to a sprint. Segaert managed to just stay in front of the peloton, taking his first professional victory, in a rainy edition of the GP Criquielion: "It was quite a closed race. The peloton controlled the breakaway, so the lead stayed around 3 minutes. At 70 kilometers from the finish, there were a few climbs. Although sometimes the race broke open, the differences remained small", Alec Segaert says.

"Until about 15 kilometers from the finish, two riders had a small gap. The plan originally was to go for Milan Menten in the sprint. I would bring him into the best position or react to late attacks, as was happening now. Someone from Alpecin-Deceuninck jumped away after the cobbles. I was able to react and play the game. He took me to the last uphill straight. I had to start early to stay ahead, so at 500 meters I attacked. I went full to the finish and didn't look back. Luckily, that was enough for the victory. This shows that we were ready for this race. We had several ways to win the race. This was strong work from the team."

Pictures: PhotoNews