Dan McLay (Fortuneo – Oscaro) won the Tour de l’Eurométropole (1.HC) in Belgium today after a late surge saw the Briton overtake Anthony Turgis (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits) in the closing metres.
A break of eight riders – Stephen Tronet (Armee de Terre), Kenny Molly (AGO Aqua Service), Jenthe Biermans (Katusha Alpecin), Timothy Stevens (Pauwels sauzen), Martijn Budding (Roompot Nederlandse Loterij), Kevin Deltombe (Sport Vlaanderen Baloise), Paul Ourselin (Direct Energie) and Alan Riou (Fortuneo Oscaro) – gained a lead of six minutes before being reeled in with 20 kilometres remaining.
The riders faced six finishing circuits which included the climb of the Col de la Croix Jubaru and there were numerous further attempts to go clear. On the last lap, a group of twenty riders went clear and in the final kilometre, Turgis jumped away.
It looked like the Frenchman was heading for victory in Tournai and he threw up his arms in triumph as he neared the line. Unfortunately for Turgis, he was overhauled in the closing metres. McLay narrowly beat Kenny Dehaes (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) with Turgis hanging on for third.
Close finish in #EurométropoleTour. Jimmy Turgis overpassed by sprinters on the line. Victory for the rider of @FortuneoOscaro, @McLayDan. pic.twitter.com/V0DLl4iiIQ
— Brain on Wheels 🚲 (@BrainOnWheels) October 1, 2017
Belinda