Etixx Quickstep rider Fernando Gaviria wins GP Impanis-Van Petegem, his sixth win of the season
![]() |
News: Win for Gaviria at GP Impanis
A superb lead-out and a well-timed sprint helped the Colombian neo-pro claim his sixth victory of the season
17-Sep-2016: At just 22 years of age, Fernando Gaviria has all that it takes to become a huge rider: talent, panache, striking versatility, huge ambition and a strong and dominant team by his side, capable of protecting him and making the difference when it matters. All these were there for everyone to see in such events such as the Tour de San Luis, Tirreno-Adriatico or the Tour de Pologne, and most recently in the Grand Prix Impanis-Van Petegem (Brakel – Boortmeerbeek, 200 kilometers), one of the last Belgian races of the year.
Benjamin Giraud (Delko Marseille), Tom Dernies (Wallonie-Bruxelles), Julien Mortier (Color Code), Timothy Stevens (Crelan-Vastgoedservice), Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Kevin Van Melsen (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) were the six man to book a place on Saturday in the break which needed more than 40 kilometers to establish. As their lead didn’t go north of four minutes, the escapees were brought back with 50 kilometers left, under the impetus of Etixx – Quick-Step and BMC.
It was no surprise that the race continued at an aggressive pace, and soon, another group formed, Fernando Gaviria, Magnus Cort (Orica-BikeExchange), Moreno Hofland (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) being some of the big names who pulled to build a maximum gap of 30 seconds. That group, although a strong one, was reabsorbed by the peloton 9 kilometers away from the line and despite several riders attempting to get clear and outfox the bunch, everything sticked together until the finish.
Etixx – Quick-Step moved to the front with two kilometers to go and delivered a solid and impressive lead-out to Fernando Gaviria, who finished off the work of his teammates in spectacular fashion, getting the better of his opponents to become the first Colombian winner of the Grand Prix Impanis-Van Petegem. Timothy Dupont (Verandas Willems) was second, while Max Richeze, the last man in Fernando’s train, rounded out the podium of the 19th edition.
“It was a complicated and nervous race today. When Van Avermaet attacked, I jumped immediately, because I sensed that the move could have a chance to go all the way. Then, when they caught us, we switched our focus to the bunch sprint. Julien, Guillaume, Fabio and Max all brought me in an excellent position from which I couldn’t miss. After coming second yesterday in Koolskamp, where my legs weren’t so good, I wanted to repay them for their hard work and I’m happy to have managed thatâ€, said the 22-year-old, who netted Etixx – Quick-Step’s 51st victory of the season.
Fernando Gaviria is the most successful neo-pro of 2016 in terms of victories, with six wins in the bag, and the one he got on Saturday afternoon has a special meaning for him: “I can’t describe how delighted I am for taking my first ever victory in Belgium, a country I love and which breathes cycling, a country with incredible fans and spectacular races. I like this kind of parcours, with short climbs and cobbles, as it really suits me. I am extremely happy for winning today. Now I will continue to work hard for the final races of the season and give it my all for Etixx – Quick-Step.â€
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- News: Beeston Race Team
- Team News: Astana – Premier Tech 2021 Goals
- Brits in UCI Teams 2021
- News: British Junior Racing Team Tofauti Everyone Active
- The Way Ahead: Part Seven
- News: Tour of Valencia (3-7 February)
- News: Bernal & the Giro
- News: 2021/22 CX Season British Dates
- News: Fabio Jakobsen Getting Better
- News: Bauke Mollema’s 2021 Season
- News: Tom Pidcock’s aims for 2021
- News: Tim Wellens Focus on Classics
- News: UAE Tour returns in Feb
- News: Deceuninck – Quick-Step Media Day
- Q&A: Lauren Creamer racing for LVIV in 2021
- Feature: Brother UK/LDN Women’s Team
- News: Gilbert uncertain about 2021
- News: Jakob Fuglsang at Ruta del Sol
- Team JRC Shutt Ridley Women’s Team
- Team News: Chris Froome optimistic about 2021
- News: Ambitions for Trek-Segafredo leaders
- News: Tom Dumoulin Programme
- News: Team Bahrain Victorious 2021 Goals
- News: Busy season ahead for Peter Sagan
- UAE Team Emirates signs Marc Hirschi
- News: WorldTourTeams in Challenge Mallorca
- News: Wout Poels to focus on the Tour de France
- The Way Ahead: Peter Harrison
- Teams: JRC Shutt Ridley Junior Women
- Teams: JRC Shutt Ridley Junior Men
- Teams: TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling p/b Trainsharp
- Team News: Tom Mazzone signs for Saint Piran
- Team News: Iwan Evans signs for Saint Piran
- News: Pidcock Third in Hulst World Cup
- News: Torelli-Assure-Scimitar 2021
- News: Charity ride for Sam Woodfield/Isaac Hudson
- New British Women’s UCI Team
- News: Saint Piran Goes UCI
- News: Tom Pidcock talks to Sporza
- News: 2021 Drops Cycling
Other News on VeloUK
- News: Beeston Race Team
- Team News: Astana – Premier Tech 2021 Goals
- Brits in UCI Teams 2021
- News: British Junior Racing Team Tofauti Everyone Active
- News: Tour of Valencia (3-7 February)
- News: Bernal & the Giro
- News: 2021/22 CX Season British Dates
- News: Fabio Jakobsen Getting Better
- News: Bauke Mollema’s 2021 Season
- News: Tom Pidcock’s aims for 2021
- News: Tim Wellens Focus on Classics
- News: UAE Tour returns in Feb
- News: Deceuninck – Quick-Step Media Day
- News: Gilbert uncertain about 2021
- News: Jakob Fuglsang at Ruta del Sol
- Team JRC Shutt Ridley Women’s Team
- Team News: Chris Froome optimistic about 2021
- News: Ambitions for Trek-Segafredo leaders
- News: Tom Dumoulin Programme
- News: Team Bahrain Victorious 2021 Goals
- News: Busy season ahead for Peter Sagan
- UAE Team Emirates signs Marc Hirschi
- News: WorldTourTeams in Challenge Mallorca
- News: Wout Poels to focus on the Tour de France
- The Way Ahead: Peter Harrison
- Teams: TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling p/b Trainsharp
- Team News: Tom Mazzone signs for Saint Piran
- Team News: Iwan Evans signs for Saint Piran
- News: Pidcock Third in Hulst World Cup
- News: Torelli-Assure-Scimitar 2021
- News: Charity ride for Sam Woodfield/Isaac Hudson
- New British Women’s UCI Team
- News: Saint Piran Goes UCI
- News: Tom Pidcock talks to Sporza
- News: 2021 Drops Cycling
- Team News: Vredestein Basso 2021
- Feature: Brother UK/Cycle Team OnForm (Men)
- News: Storey Racing line up in 2021
- News: Simon Carr Joins EF Education
- News: Cyclocross Championships Cancelled