Wout Happened? - Dwars door Vlaanderen Reaction.

In a dramatic twist that defied expectations, Neilson Powless of EF Education-EasyPost upset the heavily favored Visma-Lease a Bike team at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Powless outpaced Wout Van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, and Matteo Jorgenson in a nail-biting four-rider sprint, shattering what appeared to be a guaranteed team victory for Visma.

 

The pivotal move occurred with 55 kilometers remaining, as the quartet broke away from the peloton. Visma-Lease a Bike, boasting three riders in the leading group, seemed poised to replicate the dominant team performances historically seen at races like Paris-Roubaix. However, Powless, channeling the spirit of Ian Stannard's upset victory at the 2015 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, disrupted their plans.

 

Van Aert, visibly disappointed, could only watch as victory slipped away, with Benoot and Jorgenson finishing third and fourth, respectively. Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek secured fifth place, trailing by 45 seconds after a valiant chase.

 

"I'm absolutely speechless," Powless exclaimed after the race, overwhelmed with emotion. "I felt strong, but I never imagined winning from that group. I thought I was racing for second. This is unbelievable."

 

After a challenging spring season, this victory marked a significant resurgence for Powless. "This is the biggest win of my life," he declared, expressing his confidence for the upcoming Tour of Flanders. "I hope to contend for the win, or at least a podium finish. In these races, luck and confidence are crucial, and today I gained plenty of the latter."

 

Powless's decision to stay with the Visma-Lease a Bike trio proved decisive. "It was a constant mental battle," he admitted, "even my director was unsure if I should commit to the breakaway. But I felt strong on the cobbles and didn't want to risk a sprint from a larger group. It was a tough call, but I'm proud of how I raced."

 

His tactical approach in the final sprint was key. "I knew Van Aert was the strongest sprinter, but I never thought I could beat him," Powless explained. "I carried more speed into the final corner and just gave it everything to the line. The short distance to the finish meant I had to start my sprint immediately and hope for the best."

 

The race unfolded at a record-breaking average speed of 46.587 km/h, fueled by favorable winds and clear skies. The initial 60 kilometers were surprisingly calm, but the race soon exploded into action.

 

A breakaway group, including Taco van der Hoorn, Joshua Giddings, and others, formed but never gained a significant advantage. On the Knokteberg climb, Van Aert initiated a powerful move, splitting the peloton. Subsequent attacks and counter-attacks ensued, with Powless eventually joining Van Aert, Benoot, and Jorgenson in the decisive breakaway.

 

Despite a determined chase from the peloton, led by Pedersen and others, the leading quartet maintained their advantage. A crash involving Nils Politt added to the drama, setting the stage for a thrilling finale on the flat cobbled roads.

 

Powless, despite attempts to conserve energy, was forced to contribute to the pace by Benoot. Visma-Lease a Bike opted to set up Van Aert for the sprint, a decision that ultimately backfired. Powless, with superior speed out of the final corner, surged to victory, delivering a stunning upset and the most significant win of his career. For Van Aert and Visma-Lease a Bike, it was a bitter defeat.

 

This result sets the stage for a highly anticipated Tour of Flanders this Sunday, where Powless will carry significant momentum. Will Wout get revenge? Or will we see another Pogačar / Van de Poel masterclass?