Brussels Classic

Strong breakaway by the Basque in the Brussels Classic, caught with 9k remaining, Ventoso takes 13th after crashes for Amador, Visconti and Costa

The Movistar Team riders went through several ups and downs in the first-ever edition of the Brussels Cycling Classic, over 197 kilometers with nine small climbs between the Jubelpark and the imposing Atomium in the capital city of Belgium. The telephone squad fought into all phases of the race, starting with an early break made by Jonathan Castroviejo, with five riders joining the Getxo rider on his way to the difficult circuit with the Langestraat, Vossemberg and Smeysberg hills. 

The Basque powerhouse was back in form to racing with several drills at the front that proved his excellent condition in view of the Worlds, only caught with ten kilometers remaining by a bunch that saw a late attack from Giovanni Visconti forming up before a perfect leadout from Lotto awarded André Greipel the victory, with Fran Ventoso in 13th.

The negative sidenotes came from multiple crashes suffered in the second part of the race by Giovanni Visconti -a contusion in his left wrist, with a scaphoid fracture ruled out after medical checks-, Andrey Amador -with a small wound in his knee- and Rui Costa. All of them will be taking the start in the GP Fourmies on Sunday, with Alex Dowsett pending on his recovery after not starting today’s race due to gastric problems.