Arnaud De Lie sprints to victory in Zottegem

Arnaud De Lie won the first race (GP Color Code in Bassenge) and the second (Omloop Het Nieuwsblad) of the Road Series U23. In Zottegem, the Lotto Soudal all-rounder was faster than his teammate Milan Fretin and Nathan Vandepitte.

After an attempt by Lucas Grolier, Trystan Fivé (Home Solution-Soenens CT) joined forces with Baptiste Vadic, Liam Slock and Joren Bloem. Then it was Brem Deman's turn. He was reinforced by Siebe Deweirdt and Miguel Ladang (Home Solution-Soenens CT), Benjamin Marais, Thomas Vercauteren, Max Kroonen and Kenneth Caethoven (EFC-L&R-Vulsteke), but also this attempt failed. Marco Frigo lasted longer. Gust Lootens (Home Solution-Soenens CT) broke away with about 40 kilometres to go. He was caught up, but with seven kilometres to go he tried again. However, it turned out into a sprint.

Third place went to Nathan Vandepitte, a native of Tiel who has dual Franco-Belgian nationality. "My parents chose Albi in the south of France when I was one year old. When I am in Belgium, I stay with my grandparents in Zonnebeke. I started the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with the Flanders Tomorrow Tour in my legs. Luckily I had recovered sufficiently from the three-day race and so I gambled on the sprint. It turned out to be the right tactic. This third place confirms the many places of honour of the last few weeks," says the rider from Bingoal WB Development Team, who will also start in the professional race in Gullegem on Tuesday.

Source: Nieuwsblad
Photos: © Sophie Richez