{"id":19078,"title":"Men's Belgian Road Race Champs","description":"A picture story special from the men's Belgium National Cycling Road Race Championships held at Middelkerke which was won by Tim Merlier Alpecin Deceuninck in a sprint finish.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: COBBLES & CLASSICS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

In our second picture story from the Belgian National Road Race Championships, we cover the men's race. If you missed part one, read all about the women's race here<\/a>.\"\"Having caught my breath after an enthralling women's race<\/a>, it was time to make my way back to the roadside to watch the men in action. The race was expected to end in a bunch sprint, but there were plenty who didn\u2019t want that to happen.<\/p>

\"\" The Alpecin - Decuninck team were out in force and included pre-race favourite Tim Merlier. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

Across the exposed flatlands of the inland loop, the wind and pace caused the race to split into several large groups. Major stars like Remco Evenepoel ended up in the wrong half.<\/p>

The bunch thundered through the infamous De Moeren in pursuit to restore order. Once on the finishing circuit at Middelkerke riders launched attack after attack. Jasper Stuyven and Sep Vanmarcke being particularly active.<\/p>

\"\"The bunch was strung out all day long. Elias Maris (Leopard Pro Cycling) would finish 71st out of the 148 starters. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

One of the pre-race favourites Tim Merlier crashed alongside his teammate Jasper Philipsen. Both of the Alpecin - Deceuninck riders were soon back in the bunch but blood oozed from a wound in Merlier's leg.<\/p>

Philipsen was not having much luck on the day. Later in the race, comfortably installed in the front group that looked like it was staying away, he punctured. For a while, he dangled between the pursuing pack and the leaders. Finally, he relented and he was re-absorbed.<\/p>

\"\" Blood runs down the leg of Tim Merlier (right) following his crash crossing the tram lines.<\/p>

The Stuyven, Vanmarcke group looked like they\u2019d succeed but then Lotto Soudal, working for Arnaud De Lie, threw their might into the chase and the gap diminished rapidly on the final lap. And so it finally came down to a bunch sprint but of only thirty riders. The rest strewn around the circuit or already back at the team buses.<\/p>

Sport Vlaanderen Baloise led out but it was cyclocross rider turned ace sprinter Tim Merlier that won by a rim.<\/p>

\"\" Sport Vlaanderen Baloise led out the sprint for Sasha Weemaes who would finish fourth. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

I watched the final five kilometres in the bar Jus De Mer. It was by now packed and its inhabitants screamed at the TV. The excitement was intense. A huge roar filled and verberated around the room when Merlier was acknowledged as the winner. I felt elated and exhausted.<\/p>

\"\" Cycling's mister unlucky Sep Vanmarcke (Israel - Premier Tech) was aggressive all day. He'd have been a popular victor but had to be content with 62nd place. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

Merlier won from the surprising Jordi Meeus (Bora Hansgrohe) and the recovered Philipsen. After all Lotto Soudal's work to chase down the break, Arnaud De Lie could only finish sixth.<\/p>

\"\" Cyclocross star Laurens Sweeck (Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal) probably wished he was in a muddy field somewhere.\"\" Tom Meeusen (CX Team Deschacht - Group Hens - Containers Maes) probably wished he was in a bar. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

I slowly rode the six kilometres back to my car across the polders and reflected on an exhilarating day.\u00a0The action was non-stop all day long. Both the women's and men's races produced worthy winners and provided an exciting spectacle.<\/p>

\"\" Fans enjoying the sun and sea air. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

The spectators were enthusiastic and well-informed. A diverse mixture of ages. From young kids who dreamt of one day emulating their heroes to elderly ladies with deck chairs, hampers and mobile phones ready to follow the action all day.<\/p>

All around the course parties were in full swing at private dwellings and the fan zones. I imagine quite a bit of beer was consumed but the enthusiasm never spilt over into the boisterous. There were no attention seekers running alongside the riders in silly costumes as we can expect at the Tour de France.<\/p>

\"\" Former Belgian National Road Race Champion Oliver Naesen (AG2R Citro\u00ebn Team) finished 50th. Brother Lawrence was 11th. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

I'd even acquired a Belgian tan. Normally these are issued for free in Belgium by the mud thrown up by your tyres.<\/p>

After pottering along the coast to the Eurotunnel terminal I discovered my train had been \u2018rescheduled\u2019. That\u2019s PR speak for delayed. It took over an hour just to park. A few hours later I was finally in a queue for the UK Passport control. It was taking an age.<\/p>

\"\" After a typically aggressive race, Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo) finished 63rd. At one point he and Vanmarcke looked like their two-up break would succeed until Lotto Soudal energised the hunt. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

Approximately 10 minutes a car. I reached the booth and expected a bureaucratic pedant. Instead, a friendly face smiled back at me with a \u201cHello\u201d.<\/p>

I handed over my passport. \u201cCostello?\u201d said the friendly face. \u201cShe\u2019s an author, isn\u2019t she? Are you related?\u201d I mumbled my apologies that I wasn\u2019t aware of her. The amiable face smiled again and looked pensive. \u201cI think it\u2019s Jane Costello,\u201d said my sociable passport lady. \u201cOh I\u2019m not sure now,\u201d she continued. I thought of the enormous queue behind.<\/p>

\"\" Full gas for this Tarteletto - Isorex rider on the last lap as he desperately tries to stay in contact with the group. Image: Rijden.<\/p>

I smiled back weakly. After more thought, she wafted my passport in the air and announced \u201cIt\u2019s going to bug me all night now. I can\u2019t recall her name but she\u2019s very attractive.\u201d I replied quickly \u201cMust be related to my side of the family then,\u201d and deftly grabbed my passport before she had time to ponder more. Goodbye Belgium until next time.<\/p>

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