Van Aert Denied at the Line by Ganna in Full-Gas Flanders Tuneup

Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) snatched victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen, powering past a visibly spent Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) in the final meters. Van Aert, who had launched a long-range attack with around 30km to go, was denied a solo win in what was described as the fastest-ever edition of the Flemish semi-classic. The Italian’s late surge relegated Van Aert to second, with Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost) completing the podium.

This result is a significant psychological blow for Van Aert just days before the Tour of Flanders, his primary spring objective. Dwars door Vlaanderen is often seen as a crucial tune-up, and while his attacking prowess was evident, his inability to hold off Ganna raises questions about his peak form or tactical execution. For Ganna, it's a statement win, demonstrating his versatility beyond time trials and track pursuits, and marking a rare victory for INEOS in a cobbled classic.

Van Aert's aggressive display was certainly compelling, but ultimately, Dwars door Vlaanderen served as a stark reminder that even the strongest can be outmanoeuvred or simply out-punched when the finish line looms.