When Team Sky's Ian Stannard pulled clear in the closing stages of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad semi classic in Belgium today with three riders from Etixx-Quick-Step for company, only the very brave or stupid would have put their money on him.
However, he was clearly very determined to retain the title he had won last year.
And despite facing Stijn Vandenbergh, Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra, the 27-year-old Briton took the fight to them after they initially tried to work him over.
His efforts were to see two of his rivals shelled out.
And with just Terpstra to beat, and Boonen only a few bikes lengths off them, Stannard made no mistake.
Check out the final 5km, of 200km, in the clip below and behold a legendary ride by Stannard.
Related News
Stannard winning the race last year; his ride today secures for him a place in the pro game's folklore.
Topics
