France’s Julien Alaphilippe, the 2020 world champion at Imola, also celebrates in Flanders. Third World Cup last year, Mark Hershey of Berne left empty-handed in Belgium.
There is no grass against Alaphilippe at 268.3 kilometers (2,562 metres) from Antwerp to Leuven. Even viewers’ smartphones are not safe from the power of the 29-year-old.
The Belgians are leaving empty-handed
When the speed increases about 50 kilometers from the finish, Alaphilippe touches the mobile phone of a fan, which he carelessly carries over the curbs in the bike path. Luckily – Keyword salutes for Grandma and Grandma during the Tour de France – Only the smartphone flies in the air and remains Alaphilippe and Co. on their bikes.
The Deceuninck-Quick-Step-Equipe star runs 17.3km for the decisive attack and ultimately wins alone in Leuven. The silver in the chase group race went to Dylan van Barley of the Netherlands, and the bronze went to Michael Valgren of Denmark. The Belgians (fourth-placed Jasper Stuyven who lost a few millimeters to win the medal) missed the podium in their home race, also because the favorite, Wut van Aert, was disappointed in 11th.
Hershey’s tire torn to shreds
Unfortunately, this also applies to the Swiss (Stefan Kung is the 41st best Swiss). They lose one of their big trumps too early in the competition. Unfortunately, Mark Hershey has to give up the race after the fall. The tire on his front wheel is completely torn. As the Swiss team’s car simply gets past him, the 23-year-old’s World Championship adventure ends early.
Hershey was a potential medal contender for the Swiss team. Especially because he has regained his fitness in the past few weeks. At the European Championships, he was satisfied with the sixth place. Shortly thereafter he put some exclamation points on the Tour of Luxembourg. The cycling ace wore the leader’s yellow jersey for several days and celebrated his stage victory. In the end, he finished second in the overall standings. (yap / tusk)
“Internet nerd. Avid student. Zombie guru. Tv enthusiast. Coffee advocate. Social media expert. Music geek. Professional food maven. Thinker. Troublemaker.”