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Apparently, the finish was a little too steep after animating the race, 21st Tim WELLENS (BEL/LOTTO SOUDAL) + 18s | 
KOM leader for most of the Tour de France, Benoit COSNEFROY (FRA/AG2R LA MONDIALE) was 2nd today | 
Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB). We'll see him again later. |
Sunflowers and the peloton | 
The start of this race is rolling | 
The four men break with Mauri Vansevenant (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Aaron Van Poucke (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Mathijs Paaschens (Bingoal WB) and Marlon Gaillard (Total Direct Energie) |
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Mur de Huy, the finishing climb on one of the earlier passes | 
Last break survivor, Mauri VANSEVENANT (BEL/Deceuninck - Quick Step) had about a one minute gap with 14 km to go | 
21 year-old neo-pro, Mauri VANSEVENANT (BEL/Deceuninck - Quick Step) crashes out of his solo break |
Babe in the woods, but "I had good legs" | 
Racing towards the finishing climb | 
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3rd Michael WOODS (CAN/EF PRO CYCLING) gets overhauled by Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB) and Benoit COSNEFROY (FRA/AG2R LA MONDIALE) | 
The final dig for the line with Tour de France combatants, Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB) and Benoit COSNEFROY (FRA/AG2R LA MONDIALE) | 
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Two-time Tour de France stage winner and 3rd at the Worlds, Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB) wins his first classic in 4:49:17 ahead of 2nd Benoit COSNEFROY (FRA/AG2R LA MONDIALE), 3rd Michael WOODS (CAN/EF PRO CYCLING), 4th Warren BARGUIL (FRA/ARKEA - SAMSIC), 5th Daniel MARTIN (IRL/ISRAEL START - UP NATION) | 
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Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB) post-race: “Today we did a perfect race I think,” explained an elated Hirschi at the finish. “We controlled it from the start onwards. There was only a break of four guys ahead and we helped to set the pace which was really good. When we came onto the final laps the guys always kept me in a good position and followed the attacks. It came all together towards the last climb and I was able to to enter the climb in a good position. I wanted to wait a little bit and used the other guys on the climb. With around 100 metres to go I felt that it was the right moment and started my sprint. I managed to open a gap and could take the win. It was a perfect job from the team today and I’m happy that I had the legs to finish it off. I’m proud of how the team worked today. I didn’t make any mistakes in the finish and I’m really happy to take my second pro win. I’ll enjoy the win now in the next few days before I fully focus on Sunday again.” |
Mauri VANSEVENANT (BEL/Deceuninck - Quick Step) post-race: “I felt very good today, the legs were there and I started with a lot of confidence, despite making my first presence in a World Tour Classic. I worked in the breakaway, and then, when I realised that the gap was rapidly coming down, I accelerated and continued by myself. The gap wasn’t big, but I believed in myself, so I gave it my best”, Mauri explained at the end of Wednesday’s race. “I could still tap a good rhythm in the last kilometers, but then I entered in that corner with too much speed and I crashed immediately. I got up and then on my bike and continued to push hard, but it was over, as I lost a big chunk of my advantage. It’s a pity, because I am confident that without that incident, I could have fought for a good result on the Mur de Huy.” | 
Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB) talks more about his first classics win | 
Your 2020 podium: 2nd Benoit COSNEFROY (FRA/AG2R LA MONDIALE), 1st Marc HIRSCHI (SUI/SUNWEB) and 3rd Michael WOODS (CAN/EF PRO CYCLING) |
Women's podium | 
2020 Women's podium: 2nd Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Den/FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) +2s, 1st Anna Van der Breggen (Ned/Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam) 3:17:28 (6th win), 3rd Demi Vollering (Ned/Parkhotel Valkenburg) + 6s |
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