Stijn: What can be said about this race? Last year I came close with a second place. I won here once before, I'll try to do it again!
The Race
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Good afternoon, people at home. Welcome to Gent - Wevelgem. The favorite of the day: Stijn Van Gent. Statistically, it said in the newspaper, he's the strongest World Champion, result-wise. So far he's won every race he entered with the exception of Paris - Nice. Of course, he has a long way left to go in the jersey.
- Well, he certainly is impressive. Such talent is rare and only happens once every decade, maybe even less. The World Champion jersey has given him wings. But it's like Boonen says, no man is indestructible.
70 km left to go and Vanmarcke goes onto the attack! Strange tactic here! He's a real strong rider, and there are voices rising that Vanmarcke should go lead a team.
- He's definitely strong enough for it, but he has to make that decision for himself. There are always riders content in a serving role. Let's be frank, this current team is writing history and I think he likes to be part of it.
Sforza, a horrible name for a cycling team, keeps control, though. Vanmarcke has 30 seconds now.
He's been riding 20 km alone now and still going pretty good, they w -- A flat tire for the World Champion now! A flat tire and that's a bad moment!
Sforza immediately increases the pace. Phinney stays on board, it seems, the World Champion is on his own!
- Cancellara also got behind, I see. They're chasing the group together now.
Some aren't waiting for things to come together here at the front. Vanmarcke has been caught and Boonen with the attack, following an initial attack from Breschel!
Things are really stretched out now, a front group but if you're at the back now, you're terribly lost. The sprint is starting and it promises to be a strange sprint here! We see Boonen at the front and, by some miracle, the World Champion is making his way through the front group, is he too late?
Boonen is hanging on now! And what an amazing sprint from the World Champion Van Gent! Like an arrow out of a bow he sprinted throughout the entire group and has just passed Peter Sagan!
But he's too late! Tornado Tom had enough punch left for the win! Amazing victory here!
You can just see the disappointment on Van Gent's face.
- Yes, certainly. Though he can't blame himself. He did everything he could there.
Action - Reaction
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We immediately have the number two of the day here with us, Stijn Van Gent. Can you tell us what happened?
Stijn Van Gent: I had a flat tire at a very bad moment. I spend some time chasing, luckily BMC was prepared to help. But I came too late and had to recuperate a bit, unfortunately there wasn't a lot of time.
You had an impressive final sprint that seemed to last 300 meters, you just shot through the peloton there.
Stijn Van Gent: I hopped from wheel to wheel but Boonen is still Boonen and he was out of reach.
Are you disappointed to break the streak.?
Stijn Van Gent: To break the streak? No. I know my capacities and I know I've been having a strong season, but I also know I've been having the best team mates and a bit of luck here and there. But I am disappointed to lose here today.
One more question: is this a mental slap for the Ronde?
Stijn Van Gent: Yes and no. Whether I would've won here or not, either way wouldn't have affected my Ronde, I think. One man is always beatable. I can only do my best and hope to have a good race without bad luck. However, this was a very tiring finale and I will have to recuperate.
Thank you! And here's Tom Boonen! Tom, you did it!
Tom Boonen: I'm real happy today. I've been having a tough season but this is an amazing day. I took some risks and they payed off!
You do what nobody has done before this season: you beat Van Gent.
Tom Boonen: this isn't about beating one man. There are many strong riders and I'm happy I won today. Van Gent is an amazing athlete and I have the most respect for him. He's still the top favorite for the Ronde.
With 3 victories you share the record here. Any ambitions to take it further?
Tom Boonen: ask me again next year! Thanks!
That's it for today people. What have we learned? 2 things: 1. Van Gent is just a man. 2. Tom Boonen is not finished with cycling yet. We hope to see you for the Ronde!
Result
Stijn's Opinion
All in all I'm happy about my race. I'm ready for the Ronde and that's what matter most! I decided to skip the Panne Tour, though. This finale was tough on my body and I should give it some rest!
Welcome to the Flemish most sacred day of the year! It's 9 in the morning and we are live at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen! The question on everybody's lips: will the World Champion strike gold, or will someone get the better of him? First, let us hear some experts.
Wim Van Herreweghe: It's been an exceptional year for the World Champion. I don't think we've every had such an prominent winner in Belgium since the Kannibaal. With his team, he's the absolute favorite.
Eddy Merckx: Van Gent will have to be really strong if he wants to win this. Everybody will be riding against him so he's got to bring his best game. I wouldn't forget about the experience riding around, Cancellara, Boonen...
Johan Museeuw: I think it'll be one of the most exciting Rondes since a long time. Personally I hope Tom Boonen can overtake the World Champion here. He certainly deserves it, and he's in great shape!
Today is certainly looking to be all about Van Gent versus the rest. But there is a lot of talent here, just to name a few: Boonen, Cancellara, Vanbilsen, an Keirsbulck, Offredo, Sagan, Boasson Hagen, Vanmarcke, Dovzjenko...
Despite the fact that he was never able to win here, Van Gent is the absolute favorite. He appeared at the start looking nervous. Maybe that can play in the hands of the more relaxed riders like Boonen? Let's listen to some riders. Question Of The Day: "Do you have a master plan to beat the World Champion?"
Tom Boonen: I'm in a phase in my career where nothing has to happen anymore. I want to enjoy every race and do my best. I'm pretty relaxed and am confident that I'll perform well today? Do I have a master plan to beat the World Champion? Crossing the finish line first!
Fabian Cancellara: I'm feeling pretty strong and our team is probably the strongest for this work. I'm ready to win today! Do I have a master plan to beat the World Champion? Isolate him.
Kenneth Vanbilsen: I've been building up until today and I must say I feel pretty strong. I hope to finish top 5, and the podium would be amazing! Do I have a master plan to beat the World Champion? Maybe I can join him and finish second?
Jürgen Roelandts: Today is a big day. I have a nasty cough so I hope that won't get in the way. I expect an open race. Do I have a master plan to beat the World Champion? Surprise him from far out.
Stijn Van Gent: I'm real excited about today. I've prepared in full detail and I know every bump in the road. The competition is really strong and there are many possible winners here. I've never been able to win here before, but last year I was second. The win in Milan - San Remo gave me a confidence boost, though. I think I'm ready! Do I have a master plan to win as World Champion? A master plan, no. I will do my best and I have a great team to support me. I hope that's enough.
The Race
brought to you by Sporza
And we're ready for the start. Flanders is ready for 7 hours of absolute divine joy!
A lot of riders attacking in these early kilometers. After 15 kilometers, we already have a pretty big group with more than a minute's lead!
The peloton is taking it's foot of the gas and so we have our leaders for the next few hours. In the pack, things are relaxed. We see Van Gent not too far from the front, chatting with Boonen. The World Champion with the National Champion, forever entwined in this shot!
And here we take a break. Sporza will be back at 12 for the rest of the race, see you then!
[...]
Welcome back! You are now looking at what we've been looking for the last few hours: Team Garmin - Sharp controlling the lead.
On the first passage on the Oude Kwaremont, the peloton has already caught the breakaway. Everything is back together so the race can start all over!
Team Garmin keeps a tight pace and we see the peloton splitting up in tiny groups. Strong work by the boys from Garmin! A seven man group is now leading! Here are their names: Schoonbroodt, Vanmarcke, Nuyens, Van Gent, Thomas, Vanbilsen, Ghyselinck. No less than four riders from Garmin!
BMC is giving everything in the chase. They have 40 seconds to correct! And we also hear that Roelandts is having a mechanical problem, what a bad timing!
The entire field is now wide open, as a small group joins up with the leaders. Among them are Boonen, Cancellara and Breschel.
But just when they make the connection, strong Sep Vanmarcke is making a break for it, with the World Champion tight in his wheel! This is an important moment!
The World Champion is eager, that's for sure. He's left Sep Vanmarcke behind now. Stijn, where are you going, mate, it's still 56 kilometers left to go!
BMC is organizing a chase immediately. You don't let this Van Gent ride away under any circumstance!
The gap is now around 45 seconds! We're still 45 kilometers from home!
There's no way back for Van Gent. This seems like suicide, but he keeps the gap above 40 seconds for now! BMC have thinned out the chasing group to three man!
At this point, this is the situation: Van Gent is leading with 40 seconds on Cancellara, Offredo and Vanbilsen. Boom, Vanmarcke, Boonen, Van Keirsbulck and Gilbert follow on 1'20" from the leader. We have 30 kilometers left to go!
[...]
The World Champion is coming home! With less than 5 kilometers left, he has more than 2 minutes on the chasing group! The crowd is waiting for him!
He brought it home! A monster solo of 56 kilometers! Born and raised in Oudenaarde. In his very own town, in the World Champion jersey, he arrives solo to celebrate his first Ronde Van Vlaanderen!
He can't believe it himself, but rest assured, he did it! A show of force, nobody came close to his level today! The crowd is roaring, this is his crowd, this is everybody's victory!
Three minutes behind the winner, Offredo finishes a nice second. Cancellara is third, Vanbilsen fourth!
As we wait on the tenth rider to come in, here's the first nine riders:
1. Stijn Van Gent
2. Yoann Offredo
3. Fabian Cancellara
4. Kenneth Vanbilsen
5. Tom Boonen
6. Jan Ghyselinck
7. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
8. Lars Boom
9. Philippe Gilbert
Action - Reaction
brought to you by Sporza
Yoann Offredo has already joined us here at the studio. Yoann, congratulations, a great race.
Yoann Offredo: Thank you. I'm very happy with today's result. I raced a perfect race and this an amazing achievement for me.
We saw you do a lot of work, but the gap got bigger and bigger, how's that?
Yoann Offredo: Van Gent was just too strong. You know, on these small Flemish roads, it's hard to make up a lot of time.
In the mean time, Fabian Cancellara has joined us. Fabian, you put your team to work, without success?
Fabian Cancellara: I wouldn't say without success. We blew up the entire field. Only one man was already gone. I'm proud of my boys today. In the end, I told Yoann he could attack. Vanbilsen looked at me so he got away and finished second.
Speaking of the devil, here is Kenneth Vanbilsen. Kenneth, a tough day in the saddle?
Kenneth Vanbilsen: You could say that [laughs]. I did everything I could today and I'm proud of my result. Getting on the podium might have been nice, but I did all right. I believe I can win here one day.
We certainly hope so. And we're getting images of the World Champion, he's on his way to the studio! [...] He's now in the studio and getting a microphone. Welcome, Stijn Van Gent, and congratulations on your first Ronde Van Vlaanderen!
Stijn Van Gent: Thank you. I'm just so happy.
You looked incredibly strong here. What an impressive way to win, a 56 kilometer solo to show the world you mean business! Was that the plan all along?
Van Gent: Not really. I mean, I had 1000 scenarios in my head about how today could go. You can't really plan it from the start. The team did a lot of work in the first part of the race. When we caught the break, we just kept going and created a gap. When I heard BMC was coming, I took a snap decision.
So you just decided: I'll just go on a little walk for 56 kilometers?
Stijn Van Gent: I knew the team was tired out from all the work, and if BMC joined they'd have a lot of fresh man and they could play a nasty game. Sep said he was up to it, so I asked him to go full gas for a couple of kilometers. We got away and then it was up to me.
When did you realize it was in the pocket?
Stijn Van Gent: I guess... When I was 2 kilometers from the finish and I had more than 2 minutes on Offredo. That's when it started sinking in: I'm winning the Ronde here!
You were born in Oudenaarde. Now you're here in the World Champion Jersey, winning the Ronde Van Vlaanderen. Could there be anything better than that?
Stijn Van Gent: I really don't think so [laughs]. This moment is just so perfect. It's perfect.
I reckon there will be one hell of a party in Oudenaarde tonight. How will you celebrate your victory?
Stijn Van Gent: With the people here. I've grown up here, this is a victory for all of us. I shouldn't make it too late, though. We still have an appointment in Roubaix, you know!
The podium is looking ready for the ceremony. Other riders have come in now, we'll give you the full results in momentarily. Let us watch the podium ceremony together now. We'll be back at the studio for some race analyses with Roger De Vlaeminck and some more interviews with Nick Nuyens, Sep Vanmarcke, Niki Terpstra and Tom Boonen. We'll see you then!
Gent - Wevelgem 2016 
I'll do my best in the Ronde!
