Matis Louvel solos to Druivenkoers-Overijse victory
Démare and Van Gestel round out podium following late attack
Matis Louvel (Arkéa-Samsic) soloed to victory at the Druivenkoers-Overijse, the 23-year-old claiming the second victory of his young career in Overijse.
The Frenchman was part of a late attacking move that also included Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ), which went away on the cobbled final climb of the Bekestraat 22km from the line.
The sprint teams of of Alpecin-Deceuninck, Lotto Soudal and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert gave chase behind. However, there was nothing that could be done as the group built a half minute lead before Louvel took his chance on the final, cobbled, climb of the Moskesstraat, 7km out.
He seized his opportunity while he could and powered away to the finish to cross the line alone. Démare led Dries Van Gestel (TotalEnergies) across the line for second and third place while Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) led the peloton home.
Louvel's win delivered a valuable 125 UCI points to his team at a time when they're awaiting the outcome of Nairo Quintana's appeal against his Tour de France disqualification – a decision which could cost Arkéa-Samsic 450 points in the WorldTour promotion/relegation battle.
Results powered by FirstCycling
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.
Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.
Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix – 'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
TotalEnergies manager insists promotion to the WorldTour 'absolutely not' a team goal
Jean-René Bernadeau says Anthony Turgis' victory in the Tour de France 'worth all the UCI points you could wish for' -
The new Mondraker Arid Carbon is the brand's first non e-gravel bike
Dropped seatstays, 50mm tyre clearance and in-frame storage for the Spanish brand’s first gravel bike -
Tadej Pogačar preparing to start 'serious training' after winning fifth top Slovenian cyclist trophy
Worlds will be 'the most difficult race to defend', Pogačar says, ahead of December training camp -
Olav Kooij confident in future at Visma-Lease a Bike but Tour de France debut still 'not the most likely' in 2025
Dutch sprinter talks Grand Tour plans, recovery from injury and his new lead-out man Dan McLay with Cyclingnews