Connor McConvey and Jack Wilson battled the elements, the cobbles and a world class field in the 203km Le Samyn (Photo: Jozef Cooreman)
There was no joy for An Post-ChainReaction's Irish duo Jack Wilson and Connor McConvey in Le Samyn semi classic in Belgium on Wednesday, with both listed as no finishers.
Just 28 riders were credited with a finish on a circuit course where those too far behind were prevented from going out onto the final laps.
The 203km event from Quaregnon to Dour in Wallonia saw the riders tackle four 25km circuits in the second half of the race.
Those riders not in contention used the laps to abandon or were pulled out by the race organisers. The riders were battered by rain and strong winds, with conditions on the cobble sections treacherous.
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One man who had little problem was Niki Terpstra who dropped breakaway companion Scott Thwaites to ride the last kilometres alone and take victory for Etixx-QuickStep some 19 seconds ahead of the Briton riding for Bora-Argon 18.
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Both eventual winner and runner up had with 14km remaining left behind a strong group that had formed at the front of the race on a day when the field split to pieces.
Florian Senechal of Cofidis won the sprint from the remains of the breakaway to take 3rd just 18 seconds behind Thwaites.
Top 10, Le Samyn (203km)
1 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step 4:52:52
2 Scott Thwaites (GBr) Bora-Argon 18 0:00:19
3 Florian Senechal (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:00:37
4 Loic Vliegen (Bel) BMC Racing Team
5 Nils Politt (Ger) Team Katusha
6 Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo 0:00:44
7 Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Team Katusha
8 Tim Declercq (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise 0:00:46
9 Maarten Wynants (Bel) Team LottoNl-Jumbo 0:00:48
10 Tony Hurel (Fra) Direct Energie 0:01:00
Video: The big finish
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