Dries De Bondt capitalised on a strong performance at the Antwerp Port Epic to claim a place on the podium.
The Belgian rider was in his element in what proved to be a very aggressive race right from the start. With multiple breakaway attempts failing to make any headway for much of the 192km route, he forced the successful escape clear inside the final 50 kilometres.
Having tried to escape only a few kilometres earlier, De Bondt went again with 42km to go and was quickly joined by seven other riders. Another rider eventually bridged the gap to make it a nine-man group at the head of the race.
While the gap was never more than a minute, the nine riders held just enough of an advantage to keep the peloton at bay. Despite several attacks from the breakaway, including from De Bondt, the race would come down to a sprint for the spoils.
De Bondt put in a strong turn of speed on the drag to the line to take the final podium spot.
Dries De Bondt
“It was a super epic race today, like the race name says. I think we had a controlled start, and in the first 60km without the sectors, I was able to save my legs. The team did a very good job in the first part of the race, getting into all of the small breakaways, we were never on the chase. Then, they did a good job positioning me at the front. It was nice to have good help going into the sectors, and from there, it was chaos as it always is. I was spared from all the misery, and I was able to stay in the front of the group for a while but I waited until the final to really use my bullets.
Because of the hot temperatures, it was over 30 degrees the whole day, it was very difficult to keep the body temperature under control. In the final, I felt strong enough to force the break after a hard sector. In the transition part on the asphalt, everyone is always looking at each other and I could go there at the exact same spot I went three years ago and I won the race. This time I had some company instead of going solo. From there, we were with nine and we had some good collaboration until Per Strand Hagenes attacked. I had everything under control, and in the end, it came down to a chaotic sprint. I found myself a bit too far back in the group to really finish it off with the win, but I think I can be satisfied with the podium result and I’m happy to be there with the podium for the team in this beautiful race.”
Antwerp Port Epic results
1. Per Strand Hagenes 4:25:29
2. Pau Miquel st
3. Dries De Bondt (Team Jayco AlUla) st
Photo: Sprint Cycling
