Scheldeprijs: Jasper Philipsen takes victory at Flanders Classic in sprint finish ahead of Mark Cavendish

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) has taken victory at Scheldeprijs with Mathieu van der Poel helping guide his team-mate to the line in a sprint finish ahead of Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team).

Philipsen – who was among the favourites to win the event – had to be patient after a brave breakaway group held strong for the majority of the 205km course – which runs from Terneuzen in the Netherlands to its finishing point at Schoten near Antwerp.

There was an altogether different feel to this year’s race, with competitors greeted by sunny skies and pleasant conditions twelve months on from Alexander Kristoff fighting through strong winds to take victory.

After just 10km, a seven rider group, including Giulio Masotto (Team Corratec) and Vincent Hoppezak (Beat Cycling) broke away to attack the course from the front.

Despite opening a three minute gap on the peloton, the breakaway group were generally being well marshalled by those riders behind.

With 40km to go, the peloton, with van der Poel sat at the back, had reduced the gap to under a minute and they started to play cat and mouse with the break in order to force a bold move.

Van der Poel – who was making his debut in the race – said he added the race to his calendar to build “extra race rhythm” in the build up to Paris-Roubaix.

With the leaders heading towards the final lap of three finishing circuits, three breakaway riders were caught by a train from Alpecin.

The remaining four of Brim Dissel (Beat Cycling), Ceriel Desal (Bingoal WB), Ruben Apers (Team Flanders-Baloise) and Filippo Ridolfo (Team Novo Nordisk) held a 17 second advantage as they reached the final 10km, but van der Poel made his move to the front of the peloton and increased the pressure going into the final moments.

The break’s stubborn resistance was finally broken with just 4km to go with van der Poel and the Alcepin team aiming to guide sprinter Philipsen to glory, while Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco–AlUla) also moved up at the start of the sprint.

The road opened up in the final 300 metres, with three-time winner Cavendish among those to move up the field and hit the front, but it was Philipsen who found the extra speed to accelerate to victory.

Sam Welsford (Team DSM) followed Philipsen’s path to take second, while Cavendish finished third to secure his best result of the season so far.

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