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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Tadej Poga\u010dar had one rival remaining in Mathieu van der Poel and ejected him on the early slopes of the Oude Kwaremont. Van der Poel did not crack but the gap began to open and the world champion was away. This was the moment the race was won.<\/p>\n It took some time for the early breakaway to form. Eventually a group of 13 were away, notably with Silvan Dillier from Alpecin as a potential relay rider for Mathieu van der Poel and also Sainbayaryn Jambaljamts of the BH-Burgos team, the first Mongolian professional. Imagine a Flemish wrestler taking part in the Naadam<\/a>?<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n UAE and Red-Bull were left to pull the peloton but they were halted by a level-crossing and officials when part of the peloton made it through when the red light was flashing. This is against the UCI rules which say passing when lights flash is a disqualification. But just as nobody racing looks at traffic lights when approaching a junction, nobody will look at the level crossing so there\u2019s a grey zone for stopping time, a few flashes can allow a few riders through. The only consequence was it gave the breakaway some added time.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Amid a reported million people by the road and the strijdvlags<\/em> slapping in the wind all day the peloton had to be on alert. Normally the Eikenberg-Holleweg-Molenberg section sees the race begin to open up and gives teams a chance to fire riders forward in longshot raids or make tactical moves by sending a lieutenant clear. Only Nils Politt was baring his teeth as he towed the peloton and UAE formed a 16 rider group with Tadej Poga\u010dar and his team mate Florian Vermeersch, Mathieu Van der Poel was there, Remco Evenepoel and just in time Wout van Aert made it. Did UAE plan it or was it forced on them as they were running out of riders with Cosnefroy crashing and Morgado on a bad day?<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n So much for anyone trying to anticipate Poga\u010dar\u2019s moves later, the main move was sailing away with 100km to go and little more than 20km later caught the morning breakaway. Poga\u010dar looked fidgety here, seeming to do more work than others while rivals, notably Van Aert were sat tight.<\/p>\n The penultimate time up the Oude Kwaremont saw Poga\u010dar attack and briefly we got the \u201cbig four\u201d billing as he went clear with Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Van Aert. But it was fleeting as Van Aert was distanced. Next came the Paterberg and Evenepoel was ejected here to leave two riders in the lead.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Evenepoel was not dejected and began a long time trial to get back to Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel. He could do nothing else as Van Aert and Mads Pedersen were behind, to continue guaranteed a podium finish. He was agonisingly close, a handful of seconds in it for a long time but in splendid isolation all the time. Up ahead his two targets benefitted from a TV moto. Poga\u010dar was anxiously checking where Evenepoel was and adjusting his efforts to keep the Belgian away. Van der Poel was taking shorter, lighter turns but still sharing the work.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n The infamous Koppenberg came and went like a mere canal bridge. With the contest now down to two it was like a roulette in a casino and betting on red or black rather than anything more complicated. Poga\u010dar was betting on the upcoming climb of the Kwaremont, Van der Poel staying with him to win from the sprint.<\/p>\n As soon as the final time up the Oude Kwaremont began Poga\u010dar stood up on the pedals and slowly Van der Poel was dropped. He did not crack and apparently had been working on just this scenario in the hope of making a steady effort to pace himself back. But he could not and while the gap was close on the Paterberg Poga\u010dar was clear by six seconds and victory salute included, built this to 34 seconds at the finish.<\/p>\n