Irish champion Rory Townsend has taken his first victory since claiming the national road race title in Kanturk, Co Cork, back in June. His triumph today in the GP Lucien Van Impe-Erpe Mere Pro Kermesse was also his first win of his career in Belgium.
The 27-year-old was part of a 10-man group that dominated the 156.8km race today in East Flanders. Once that group pulled clear and established a gap, it was clear the victor would come from the breakaway.
As the attacks were launched off the front of the escape group in the finale, Townsend (WiV SunGod) proved one of the strongest and was still at the front when the breakaway split and a leading trio pulled clear.
In that group Townsend was with British rider Harry Birchall (St Piran) and Dutchman Bart Lemmen (VolkerWessels Cycling Team). On the penultimate lap, Townsend attacked his two breakaway companions and pulled well clear.
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He then rode a very strong final lap, to put a minute between himself and the two chasers, before enjoying his victory celebration in front of a large crowd.
Birchall beat Lemmen in the two-up sprint for 2nd and 3rd some 58 seconds after solo winner Townsend. Five other riders survived from the breakaway, with Belgian Thomas Joseph (Minerva Cycling Team) winning the sprint for 5th place from their group, some 3:33 down on Townsend.
There were 42 finishers today of the 90-rider field, among them Ireland's Cian Keogh and Conn McDunphy, both of EvoPro Racing. Keogh was 31st and McDunphy placed 39th, with both in the remains of the main field which finished seven minutes down.
Thurs, Aug 25th: GP Lucien Van Impe
01 TOWNSEND Rory WiV SunGod 03:38:26
02 BIRCHILL Harry Saint Piran + 58
03 LEMMEN Bart VolkerWessels Cycling Team + 58
04 JOSEPH Thomas Minerva Cycling Team + 03:33
05 LOOCKX Lander Deschacht Hens Maes Containers + 03:33
06 CLAEYS Arno Elevate p/b Home Solution Soenens + 03:33
07 BAUGNIES Jérôme Team Metalced + 03:33
08 ARTZ Huub Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel + 03:41
09 VERMELTFOORT Coen VolkerWessels Cycling Team + 04:37
10 TANFIELD Harry Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling + 04:37
11 DE BOCK Stijn S-Bikes-Doltcini + 04:37
12 MAZZONE Leon Saint Piran + 04:37
13 TULNER Rens Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel + 04:37
14 SUTTON Joseph Borgonjon-Dewasport + 04:37
15 CLYNHENS Toon Team Arkéa-Samsic + 04:37
31 KEOGH Cian EvoPro Racing + 07:00
39 MCDUNPHY Conn EvoPro Racing + 07:00
