Renewi Tour

Yves Lampaert confirmed the strong form he is enjoying in this second part of the season with another impressive display on the third stage of the Renewi Tour. Taking in more than a dozen climbs, including two and a half ascents of the iconic Muur-Kapelmuur, the race between Aalter and Geraardsbergen came to life with more than 50 kilometers to go, when a couple of riders got away from the peloton, catching and dropping the original escapees as they put themselves at the front of the race.

Soudal Quick-Step had both Florian Sénéchal and Yves Lampaert there, and the latter made the cut when this strong group fragmented as they tackled the brutal slopes of the Muur for the second time. Eight riders moved into the lead, and Yves was one of the strongest there, taking some long pulls that helped them increase their advantage over the peloton to more than half a minute. The Belgian got involved also at the Green Kilometer sprints, taking a bonus seconds, as the attackers kept working in order to hold off the chasers.

Despite the bunch making up ground rapidly in the final kilometers, Lampaert still had enough left to clinch a top ten place on this stage won by Mike Teunissen (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) – a result that elevated him to second on the general classification with two days left at the Renewi Tour.

“It was very hard today. I gave my best, but in the finale I found myself a bit isolated against two guys from UAE and two from Lotto. I did everything I could and I am content with my effort. We’ll just see what the next stages – and especially the one of Sunday – will bring, now that I’m second in the GC”, Yves said.

Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images