Sagan wins Gent-Wevelgem classic securing his points lead/Wevelgem

Slovak rider Peter Sagan won the classic Gent-Wevelgem race (183.4 km) in a solo finish.

The Cannondale rider has already this season taken two podium finishes in the classics World Tour races and on Sunday he enjoyed his first victory in the World Tour series. 

For Sagan, who finished with a time of 4:29:10 h, came in well ahead of 2 place Slovenian Borut Božič (Astana) and Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team). UCI ranking leader decided about four kilometers before the finish in breaking away from the leading group of eleven riders to which no one challenged his attack.

Sagan gradually increased his lead and finished 28 seconds in front of the chase group. The young Slovak rider has secured his UCI lead, previously he was second for the Milan-San Remo and E3 Harelbeke races. Organizers decided to shorten the race by 47 kilometers to 183.4 kilometres after agreeingThe Cannondale rider has already this season taken two podium finishes in the classics World Tour races and on Sunday he enjoyed his first victory in the World Tour series.

Classic Gent-Wevelgem (183.4 km):

1 Peter Sagan (SVK / Cannondale) 4:29:10 h,

2 Borut Božič (SLO / Astana) +28 s,

3 Greg Van Avermaet (BEL / BMC Racing),

4 Heinrich Haussler (AUS / IAM Cycling)

5 Juan Antonio Flecha (SPA / Vacansoleil),

6 Matthieu Ladagnous (FRA / FDJ),

7 Bernhard numbers (AUT / Team Sky),

8 Stijn Vandenbergh (Belg. / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step),

9 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr. / RadioShack),

10 Andrey Amador (Costa Rica / Movistar) all same time

UCI Ranking as of 24 March:

1 Peter Sagan (SVK / Cannondale) 232,

2 Fabian Cancellara (SUI. / RadioShack) 151,

3 Joaquim Rodriguez (SPA / Katyusha) 144,

4 Sylvain Chavanel (FRA / OmegaPharma-Quick-Step) 142,

5 Geraint Thomas (GBA / Team Sky) 117,

6 Richie Porte (AUS. / Team Sky) 113,

7 Tom-yet Slagter (HOL / Blanco) 111,

8 Daniel Martin (IRL / Garmin) 107,

9 Vincenzo Nibali (ITA / Astana) 106,

10 Andrew Talansky (USA / Garmin) 92 points.

(SOURCE: https://www.petersagan.net/#)