Novolodskii fastest in GP André Noyelle
Rostislav Novolodskii added the GP André Noyelle to his palmarès. After spending the entire day on the attack, he proved the strongest in a three-man sprint. Filippo Grigolini and René Messely completed the podium.
At 2:40 p.m., the men U19 got underway for the ninth edition of the GP André Noyelle, a 119‑kilometre course featuring the Scherpenberg, Monteberg and Kemmelberg (Belvédère).
Five riders animated the escape of the day: Messely (Soudal Quick-Step U19), Tanghe (Avia‑Rudyco Cycling Team), Novolodskii (Cannibal B Victorious), Grigolini (Decathlon CMA CGM U19) and Alric Thouvenin (Groupama‑FDJ U19). The leaders quickly built an advantage of around one minute.
Keppens (Jegg – Skil – DJR) and Delanghe (Van Moer Logistics Cycling Team) attacked on the Kemmelberg (Belvédère). Shortly afterwards, Botha (Mix Hot Tubes – INEOS Development), Bral (Wielerclub “Onder Ons Parike” vzw) and Linde (Cannibal B Victorious) bridged across, setting off five riders in pursuit of the leaders.
The quintet ultimately failed to make the junction, leaving the winner to come from the front group. On the Kemmelberg (Ossuary), Grigolini, Novolodskii and Messely dropped their breakaway companions, while the peloton never closed to within 30 seconds. The trio contested the victory in a sprint in Ypres.
Messely tried several times to get away, but without success. In the final sprint along the Rijselstraat, Novolodskii proved the fastest, ahead of Grigolini and Messely.
