Belgians race ahead in the spring classics
The spring classics now are behind us and Belgium's cyclists did an excellent job. The greatest gluttons were Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet.
The Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert had a magnificent win at the Tour of Flanders, following an incredible solo lasting no less than 50 kilometres. Two weeks later he came top in the Amstel Gold Race. He also claimed pole position in the Three-day Race at De Panne-Koksijde.
Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet won the Paris-Roubaix race nicknamed the ‘Hell Classic’. This followed earlier victories in Het Nieuwsblad Circuit, the E3 Prize in Harelbeke and Ghent-Wevelgem. He also came second in the Tour of Flanders. These successes combined currently take him to the top of the World Tour ranking.
There were also similar high standards from fellow Belgians, including victories from Guillaume Van Keirsbulck in the GP Le Samyn and Yves Lampaert in Dwars door Vlaanderen (Across Flanders race), not to mention plenty of podium positions from compatriots in other races.