Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (March 22-28): Ineos Grenadiers make history
A high quality field was assembled for the 100th Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. The Ineos Grenadiers team struck a blow by posting a historic treble with the victory of the Briton Simon Yates ahead of his teammates, Australian Richie Porte and the Welshman Geraint Thomas.
Results. 1. A. Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) ; 2. Porte (Ineos Grenadiers) ; 3. Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers).
*****
Oxyclean Classic Brugge-De Panne (March 24): Bennett takes first
The Oxyclean Classic Brugge-De Panne opened Holy Week for cycling in Flanders. The Irishman Sam Bennett (Deceuninck Quick Step) won the sprint, taking his first victory in a one-day UCI WorldTour race in Belgium.
Twenty-four hours later, Australia’s Grace Brown (Team Bike Exchange) won the women’s race with a 7-second advantage.
Results Men. 1. Bennett (Deceuninck Quick Step) ; 2. Philipsen (Alpecin Fenix); 3. Ackermann (Bora Hansgrohe)
Results Women. 1. Brown (Team Bike Exchange); 2. Norsgaard (Team Movistar); 3.D’Hoore (SD Worx)
*****
E3 Saxo Bank Classic (March 26): Asgreen puts on a show
Kasper Asgreen won the E3 Saxo Bank Classic. The Deceuninck Quick Step rider paid tribute to his team after his victory: “I always knew that if I raced for this team, I could win in the classics.”
Results. 1. Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck Quick Step); 2. Florian Sénéchal (Deceuninck Quick Step); 3. Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin Fenix).
*****
Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields (March 28): Van Aert’s revenge
Having taken 11th at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Wout Van Aert had his revenge by dominating Gent Wevelgem for the first time in his career. “We know that in this race the wind plays an important role. And that was the case again today. The peloton “broke” very early on and we managed very well after that.” The 26-year-old rider dominated a group of seven competitors who had escaped with 180 kilometers to go!
In the women’s race, Marianne Vos, 33, won the 232nd victory of her career and the first victory for the new women’s team… Jumbo Visma!
Results Men. 1. Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) ; 2. Nizzoli (Qhubeka – Assos) ; 3. Trentin (UAE Team Emirates).
Results Women. 1. Vos (Jumbo Visma); 2. Kopecky (Liv Racing) ; 3. Brennauer (Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling)
This week
31.03 : Dwars door Vlaanderen (Bel) – A travers la Flandre https://www.ddvl.eu/en/ddv/elite-men
3.04 : Gran Premio Miguel Indurain (Esp) www.clubciclistaestella.es
4.04 : La Roue Tourangelle Centre Val de Loire (Fra) https://www.larouetourangelle.com
4.04 : Ronde van Vlaanderen – Tour des Flandres Femmes (Bel) https://www.rondevanvlaanderen.be/nl/rvv/elite-vrouwen
4.04 : Ronde van Vlaanderen – Tour des Flandres Hommes https://www.rondevanvlaanderen.be/nl/rvv/elite-mannen