Some call it the sprinters' world championship, but Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek) wanted to win Gent-Wevelgem his own way with a solo attack in the last 60 km, proving he is one of the strongest men in this northern campaign. This is the fiftieth career victory for the Dane, who has won Gent-Wevelgem for the third time in his career, joining legends like Eddy Merckx, Mario Cipollini, and Peter Sagan in the honor roll.

Mads Pedersen first attacked 74 km from the finish, joining the day's breakaway, and then, about 10 km later, began his solo ride to the finish line. The peloton could do nothing and had to settle for the sprint for second and third place, won by Tim Merlier, who beat Jonathan Milan. Davide Ballerini also had a good performance, finishing sixth.

THE RACE - A very long race, but full of emotions for the eighty-seventh edition of Gent-Wevelgem, which started from Ypres and finished in Wevelgem after 250 km. The now-famous "sprinters' world championship" featured a course clearly divided into two parts, with the first part almost completely flat and the last 90 km with the typical up and down of Belgian races.

The early stages of the race were characterized by a series of attacks and counterattacks that led to an first hour of racing at almost 46 km/h average. The breakaway formed after about 30 km and involved 9 athletes. Rui Oliveira (Uae Team Emirates Xrg), Max Walker (Ef Education Easy Post), Sam Maisonobe (Team Cofidis), Jasha Sutterlin (Team Jayco Alula), Victor Vercouillie (Team Flanders Baloise), Samuel Leroux and Alexys Brunes (Team Totalenergies), Emils Liepins (q36.5), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) managed to gain up to 4 minutes over the peloton.

The race heated up after about 100 km when, taking advantage of the flat and wind-exposed section, Lidl Trek created echelons that split the group. Among the main victims were Tim Merlier and Jasper Philispen, who then managed to get back. Victor Campenaerts (Visma Lease a Bike) took advantage of this hectic phase and rejoined the head of the race.

Among continuous narrowings and changes of pace, Mads Pedersen was the most cautious, who at 74 km from the finish, taking advantage of a dirt section, said goodbye to his direct rivals, launching himself in pursuit of the race leaders, followed closely by Arjen Livyns. Great misfortune for his direct rivals who could not respond to the attack: Jasper Philipsen had a puncture, while Olav Kooij crashed and was forced to retire. The Lidl Trek Dane never received changes from the athletes in the day's breakaway and thus 60 km from the finish, he said goodbye to the company by placing yet another attack near the Kemmelberg.

Pedersen's action was immediately powerful and in no time he managed to gain a good margin over the trio composed of Campenaerts, Haller, and Livyns, who were then reabsorbed by the group. In the peloton, the teams only found an agreement in the last 15 km, Alpecin Deceuninck and Uno X Mobility spent themselves to lead the chase, but it was too late, Pedersen had completely broken away.

Mads Pedersen arrived in parade at the Wevelgem finish line, the group, arriving about fifty seconds behind, had to settle for the remaining podium places, which were decided in a sprint. European champion Tim Merlier preceded Jonathan Milan.

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FINISH ORDER

1 Pedersen Mads Lidl-Trek 05:30:21

2 Merlier Tim Soudal Quick-Step + 49

3 Milan Jonathan Lidl-Trek + 49

4 Kristoff Alexander Uno-X Mobility + 49

5 Hofstetter Hugo Israel-Premier Tech + 49

6 Ballerini Davide XDS Astana Team + 49

7 Girmay Biniam Intermarchè-Wanty 150 + 49

8 Berckmoes Jenno Lotto + 49

9 Meeus Jordi Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 49

10 Rex Laurenz Intermarchè-Wanty + 49