Mathieu van der Poel made a triumphant return to road racing by winning the Ename Samyn Classic. He dominated the uphill finish of the 199km cobbled race, outpacing fellow competitors Paul Magnier and Emilien Jeannière. Van der Poel's strategy involved conserving energy for the final sprint, allowing him to unleash a powerful acceleration that left the field behind. His performance not only highlighted his strength but also reaffirmed his position as a top contender in cycling, as he showcased his ability to manage race dynamics effectively.
Van der Poel went long on the uphill finish, hitting the wind with a full 200 metres to go and blasting to the front ahead of Magnier.
I was feeling pretty strong already during the race, but it wasn't hard enough to make a difference. There were a lot of people watching me.
At 50km from the finish I said to my teammates I'll save my legs to go for the sprint because I knew that on a finish like this, I'm capable of winning.
The route included numerous cobbled sectors and nine hills, all located on the three-and-a-half closing laps around Dour.
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