Dimitri Claeys wins the third stage of the Tour de Wallonie

Dimitri Claeys won this Monday the third stage of the Tour de Wallonie (2.HC). After 200.6 kilometres between Braine L'Alleud and Vielsam Dimitri Claeys was in the sprint faster than Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step) and the Frenchman Jonathan Hivert (Fortuneo-Vital Concept). It is the ninth victory of the season for Wanty-Groupe Gobert, the first for the ninth of the Tour of Flanders.

"I knew I had to wait for the sprint because I quickly realized that it was not possible to attack on the climbs. This victory is very important for our partners," Dimitri Claeys said.

The team Wanty-Groupe Gobert rode a perfect race. First Boris Dron was part of a breakaway of three riders. They got a maximum lead of 3'40" on the peloton. They were caught on the first ascent of Mont-Le-Soie. On the descent of the second and final climb of Mont-Le-Soie Thomas Degand followed an attack of Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling). The two riders were caught with one kilometre to go. 33 riders sprinted for the stage win.

Dimitri Claeys started his sprint with 150m to go. Gianni Meersman (Team Quick Step) came very close to him in the last metres but he could keep a small advantage. "Yesterday everyone was disappointed after the withdrawal of Enrico Gasparotto. He was our team captain. He sent us last night a message to encourage us. We changed therefore our tactic. This is an collective victory. Personally it is a revenge on the first few months. I was expecting a bit more from the Flemish classics. I went on stage in early July to be in shape for the Tour de Wallonie."

In the general classification the ninth of the Tour of Flanders has the same time as the leader Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step). "It is often a matter of time bonuses. There are still two hard stages to go. I will fight for the general classification. I feel good and I have a strong team around me," he concluded.

Tomorrow the fourth stage takes place between Aubel and Herstal(177 km), a difficult stage with eight climbs.