Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen 2024

September 20, 2024 It was a festive atmosphere at the finish in Koolskamp with VIP tents set up and lots of fans packed in around the hoardings to watch the race. It is truly a sprinters championship with the whose who of sprinters on the start line. A group of three including Alex Colman of Flanders Baloise, Fabio Christen of Q36.5 and Sam Gademan of VolkerWessels went up the road to loop around Koolskamp 12 times, totaling 180KM. Their lead was 3 minutes 30 seconds with 70KM to go. Gademan couldn't hold the pace in the break and dropped away with 58KM to go. Each lap had one open section with a bit of wind and, on each lap, a new team would take their turn to try and split the race. No one was able to make much of a difference but it did help bring the gap to the break down. The leaders went through the bell lap with just 30 seconds and Christen decided to go off alone. A large crash with 11KM to go split the group right near the front. Redbull-Bora Hansgrohe was not going to wait and pressed on with only about 25 riders in the front split. Groups formed behind to create a chase but Redbull-Bora Hansgrohe were still pushing to stay away. Christen was caught with 7KM and the race was all together at 4.5KM from the the line to give a chance at a full bunch sprint for all the fast men. No team had the numbers to really take control and it was every man for themselves in the sprint. Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck emerged from the scrum at just over 200M to go but on his wheel was Tim Merlier of Soudal Quickstep. Merlier came around to take his first win as European Road Champion. Arvid De Kleijn of Tudor Pro Cycling came with good speed to get passed Philipsen for second place, Philipsen held on for third.