Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020: Stuyven bests Lampaert in two-up sprint

Thirteen climbs and inclement weather make the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad a trying test. Jasper Stuyven outsprints Yves Lampaert on the line, while Søren Kragh Andersen finishes in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020

1. Jasper Stuyven (bel)
2. Yves Lampaert (bel) s.t.
3. Søren Kragh Andersen (den) + 0.06
4. Matteo Trentin (ita) + 0.39
5. Tim Declercq (bel) + 1.28
6. Mike Teunissen (nld) s.t.
7. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
8. Philippe Gilbert (bel) s.t.
9. Stefan Küng (swi) s.t.
10. Florian Sénéchal (fra) s.t.

Race report
Senne Leysen and Mathijs Paasschens are the first riders to open up a gap. Luis Mas, Matteo Jorgenson and Manuel Boaro bridge across and the five carve out a gap of more than 7 minutes.

Crosswinds split the peloton and the first echelon – featuring Wellens, World Champion Pedersen, Kirsch, Mullen, Stuyven, Eenkhoorn, Declercq, Stybar, Pöstlberger, Politt, Lawless, Stannard, Doull, Rowe, Swift and Eekhoff – catch the leaders with 105 kilometres to go. A little later it all comes together.

Echelon alert again with 88 kilometres out. The first group includes Van Aert, Benoot, Lampaert, Trentin, Van Avermaet, Naesen, Vanmarcke, Declercq, Stuyven, Küng and Valgren. Stannard, Pedersen and three more riders make it across on the cobbles of Paddestraat before another junction occurs 78 kilometres before the finish.

Teunissen, Trentin, Declercq, Lampaert, Stuyven, Frison, Rutsch and Kragh Andersen open up a gap with roughly 70 kilometres to go. A proper chase never takes place and the eight open up a gap of more than 2 minutes.

On the Muur van Geraardsbergen Lampaert and Stuyven set off together, while Kragh Andersen rejoins them shortly after the summit. The three crest the Bosberg together, 15 seconds ahead of Trentin.

When Stuyven strikes inside the last 1.5 kilometres Kragh Andersen can’t follow. Lampaert opens the ensuing sprint, but Stuyven overhauls him and closes the door.

Other interesting reads: route and start list Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020.