Final KM: Volta a Catalunya St 7, Gent-Wevelgems x 7

Busy with attacks and busy with podiums, Volta a Catalunya and Gent-Wevelgem left us breathless.

Volta a Catalunya Stage 7: Barcelona to Barcelona, 138.7km

Wowie a harum-scarum finale saw Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) kick to victory just as his breakaway attempt was caught metres from the line. Jarlinson Pantano (Trek-SegaFredo) and FDJ’s Arthur Vichot placed second and third respectively. Valverde nabbed the King of the Mountain jersey and finished on the top step of the podium holding  +1:03mins  on Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) with Movistar team mate and best young rider Marc Soler at+ 1:16.  Pierre Rolland  (Cannondale -Drapac) took the points jersey (I’m not quite sure how). I’ll leave it to you to work out who was best team overall (clue the kit features a lime green wiggle)

Highlights we pick it up with 4km to go…

Full report at Cycling News. Read our review here

Race Website  Race Twitter #VoltaCatalunya

Men’s Gent-Wevelgem: Deinze to Wevelgem, 249km

Greg Van Avermaet emerged victorious from a nerve-jangling chase in the final kilometres. The Olympic champion took a two up sprint against Orica-Scott’s Jens Keukeleire with a disgruntled Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) just pipping the rampaging peloton to third.

Highlights…

Winner! and how brilliant to hear from Michael Schaar, a trusted lieutenant out with injury

Bittersweet…

A miffed Peter with a short bob and a Cantona-esque interview…

Ladies Favourite…

Full report at Cycling News. Read our review here

Race Website  Race Twitter #GWE

Women’s Gent-Wevelgem: Ieper to Wevelgem, 146km

Lotta Lepisto (Cervelo-Bigla) backed up her win at Dwars Door Vlaanderen on Wednesday by taking taking the top step of the podium here. The Finnish champion was swiftest in the sprint, outkicking Wiggle High5’s Jolien D’Hoore and Coryn Rivera (Sunweb).

Highlights (here if the video below is problematic)…

The day in pictures…

Full report at Cycling News.

Race Website  Race Twitter #GWEwomen

Gent-Wevelgem – 7 races in one day

It’s not just the elite men and women who race through Flanders fields. The race organisers hold seven races in total and one of the nicest touches is that all the winners are brought together for one final podium at the end.

And your winners are…

Eline van Rooijen -The Netherlands (U17 women)

Haven’t found out this lad’s name… I will keep trying (U17 men)

Georgi Pfeiffer – Great Britain (U19 women)

Ludvig Wacker – Denmark (U19 men)

Jacob Hennessy –  Great Britain (U23 men)

Lotta Lepisto – Finland (elite women)

Greg Van Avermaet – Belgium (elite men)

Header image: Lotta Lepisto  © YORICK JANSENS/AFP/Getty Images

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