Classic Devolder back to his best at Belgian road championships

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Stijn Devolder (RadioShack) celebrates his first win since his last Belgian title in 2010(Image credit: Photopress.be)

Not since the 2010 Belgian road championships - where he took the road and time trial title - has Stijn Devolder taken to the top step of the podium. In fact it has been a full two years since the two-time Tour of Flanders winner has stepped onto a podium and while he won't be able to show-off his national stripes after taking his third Belgian road title at the Tour de France, the 33-year-old has shown that he is far from down and out.

After two seasons at Vacansoleil-DCM failed to deliver the same kind of results that many expected from Devolder, the 2013 season and move to RadioShack Leopard appeared to given him the kick he needed. Devolder has never been a prolific winner but has often managed to focus solely around a set number of targets and often deliver. Arriving at the finish of the 220km Belgian championship marked a return of 'old' as he rode across the line in solo trademark style.

Using his ability against the clock the RadioShack Leopard rider put in one searing move with 25km to go after his teammate Jan Bakelants was finally brought back after forcing the pace in a late-race breakaway. One big acceleration was all that was needed to create the race-winning move, with Devolder admitting he had been hiding his form during the day and in races leading up to the championships so he wouldn't been seen as a threat for the win.

"You need to be strong but also smart. It was the right moment to attack at two laps to go. It absolutely played out the way I had pictured it over the last couple of months. Having Jan in the front with [Kevin] Seeldraeyers (Astana) and [Thomas] De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) was just perfect. I could sit back and wait to see how the race would unfold. I knew I had put out one massive effort instead of playing a game."