With a strong performance in the rain and wind, Quick-Step rider Kevin Van Impe manged the biggest win of his career today in the Dwars door Vlaanderen beating Niko Eeckhout in a sprint with teammate Tom Boonen coming in third.
“This is really a special day for me,” said Van Impe. “With this victory I’m leaving behind what has truly been a difficult period for me, both personally and professionally, marked by a series of injuries. From this moment on I’m hoping to turn a page. I’d like to dedicate this victory to my family and I hope it’s a good omen for Kurt Hovelijnck to have a swift recovery.”
Hovelijnck has been in intensive care since last week when he sustained a head injury during a training session. He remains listed in critical condition.
The bad weather on the day played into the hands of the Quick-Step team with Tom Boonen, Stijn Devolder, and Sylvain Chavanel taking the start, giving them arguably the strongest team in the race. The Belgian team used their depth to split apart the field, having given last year’s Tour of Flanders winner Stijn Devolder the task.
When the race heated up, Devolder split it apart causing a leading group with Boonen, Devolder, Van Impe from Team Quick-Step, Heinrich Haussler Cervelo TestTeam, and Eeckhout who now rides for the small AN Post – Sean Kelly team
Outgunned TestTeam’s Haussler, who has been on the form of his life, attempted the attack the Quick-Step dominated group but couldn’t get away. In the end, it turned out to be a battle between Kevin Van Impe and Eeckhout, with Van Impe taking the honors.