Jenno Berckmoes added the Muur Classic to his list of achievements tonight. On the Vesten he won a sprint in a small group. Tobias Johannessen and Fabio Christen were allowed to join him on the podium. For Berckmoes it is his second professional victory.
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After years as a funfair race, this year it was really serious in Geraardsbergen for the first time. The Muur Classic was on the calendar this year as a 1.1 race, a professional race.
That immediately attracted a lot of big names to East Flanders. Milan Menten was there, among others, Jelte Krijnsen and Jenthe Biermans, last week winner and number 3 in the Druivenkoers in Overijse, were also present.
But none of those 3 names would compete for the victory. Because in the end a group of 6 rode towards the Muur. Anders Skaarseth, Lionel Taminiaux, Fabio Christen, Jenno Berckmoes, Tobias Johannessen and Rick Ottema were allowed to fight it out among themselves on the Vesten.
In the uphill sprint, Berckmoes tolerated no opposition. The Lotto – Dstny rider crossed the line with a clear lead, Johannessen and Christen still rushed to podium places.
For the 23-year-old Berckmoes it is his second professional victory, after the final stage of the Coppi e Bartali Cycling Week.
Jenno Berckmoes: “The puzzle pieces fell into place”
Jenno Berckmoes had to dig deep for his 2nd professional victory. “This was not an easy race”, he said afterwards.
“We had to cross the Wall 3 times and also the Vesten 6 times. There were also some steep hills along the way.”
“I actually doubted whether I would start today. I felt sick at the beginning of the week and thought about forfeiting. This morning I felt better and I wanted to take my chance. Thank goodness.”
“This is a great victory. I had already achieved a number of places of honour this season, but today the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.”
