Dylan Bouwmans was the fastest in GP Bati-Metallo

Dutch rider Dylan Bouwmans (Willebrord Wil Vooruit) won 17th edition of GP Bati-Metallo after sprint finish from elite group. Belgians Gauthier Vandevyvere (CT Spider King Ieper) and Kenneth Van Borm (Cycling Team Luc Wallays) completed the podium.

Final podium: Gauthier Vandevyvere, Dylan Bouwmans, Kenneth Van Borm. Photo: directvelo 

The race started with... a big crash in neutral zone. Later on, Harm Vanhoucke (Young Cycling Team VZW) tried his luck and was the first attacker of the day but was caught after two GPM's. After thirty kilometers we had attack from Dennis Van Der Hoortst, Marten Kooistra and three others but they didn't get much space and were quickly caught. Pascal Eenkhoorn also tried to get away together with Gavin Hoover, Ide Schelling and two others but also didn't manage to get a decent gap. After sixty kilometers we had a general regroupment at the front but the pace, hills and cobbled sectors already caused splits in peleton.

While the riders reached the final circuits around Pommeroeuel the gap between two big groups reached over a minute. On the local circuit Jelle Nieuwpoort (Monkeytown Cycling Team) and Willem Bok (Zuid Oost Nederland) attacked from the bunch and were quickly joined by Bjorg Lambrecht (Avia WCup Cycling Team). The trio had a small gap over five counter attackers riding just ahead of the bunch. With just three circuits of 8.3km left, the leaders had just ten seconds gap over the big group. The counter attackers were caught but two other riders tried their luck: Jaron Wydooghe (Avia WCup Cycling Team) and Kenneth Vanborm (Cycling Team Luc Wallays).

They have managed to join the leaders and with two laps to go we had a group of five riders in front with small gap over the peleton. Gauthier Vandevyvere (CT Spider King Ieper) managed to bridge to the leaders and so were Dylan Bouwmans (Willebrord Wil Vooruit), Harm Vanhoucke (Young Cycling Team) and Bob Olieslagers (Zuid Oost Nederland). The nine leaders worked well together and since their represented the strongest teams peleton quickly lost over 30 seconds. With just one lap to go it was clear that the winner will come from the nine leaders. Despite strong counter attack from Eenkhoorn, Dusan Rajovic and few others, the leaders reached the final kilometer with solid gap and Dylan Bouwmans won the final sprint giving Dutch riders another win in one day race this season.

Dylan Bouwmans celebrates his win (photo: lavenir.net)

It was first win for Bouwmans this season but he showed good form already in Volta Limburg Classic where he was second, beaten only by Dennis van der Horst. Here's what the winners says (via Directvelo):

"This is the best win of my career so far. I stayed quietly in the bunch before the local circuit. At this point, I tried my luck several times. I did not want to miss the good breakaway. When a group of six riders came out, I tried to counter attack. Finally, we managed to to link up to form a group of nine riders. Together we have been through. In the sprint, I gave everything from the last corner. I think I really highlighted. First time i want to enjoy this victory. "

Results

This was the race of attacks and being the the front group in crucial moment was decisive. It could be any other rider from the peleton that attacked in right moment and won but the hills and cobbles caused big damage on the group so once the peleton reached Pommeroeuel only strong riders survived and were able to fight for a win. It was sixth win this season for Dutch juniors in uci rated races. The only one they didn't manage to win was Trofeo Citta di Loano but just a one Dutch team rode in Italy.Amazing results especially if you consider that four different riders managed to win. Doest it prove that Dutch riders are the strongest in junior category this year ? Not yet as there will be tons of other events, especially stage races which might be harder to shine for Dutchies but I'm more then sure that Rabo Dev Team will be glad to welcome some of this year's winners.