Photo gallery: Terpstra’s super solo at the 2018 men’s Tour of Flanders

April 3, 2018
1 minute read

QuickStep Floors started the Tour of Flanders with a bunch of riders that could win the race, namely defending champion Philippe Gilbert, Dwars door Vlaanderen winner Yves Lampaert, E3 Harelbeke winner Niki Terpstra, three-time cyclocross world champion Zdenek Stybar. The Belgian squad was present in every attack that mattered, and it was Terpstra that eventually made the winning move with a touch under 30km to go.

The Dutchman followed an attack from the ever-versatile Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), dropped him, bridged to the leaders up the road, dropped them, then soloed all the way to the finish. It was his second win of the week and his second Monument victory (after the 2014 Paris-Roubaix), and an impressive one at that.

The photos below tell the story of the day. They come to you courtesy of Kristof Ramon and Jered and Ashley Gruber.

: The 2018 Tour of Flanders started in the centre of Antwerp.

: World champion Peter Sagan was one of the big pre-race favourites.

: Niki Terpstra was all smiles at the start. He’d have even more to smile about roughly 6.5 hours later.

: The riders set off from Antwerp under neutral control.

: The day’s breakaway group of 10 riders.

: Tony Martin gets up close and personal with a hedge.

: The peloton tackles the tricky cobbles of the Holleweg.

: Gediminas Bagdonas ended up at the back of the peloton after an early crash.

: Ivan Garcia Cortina (Bahrain-Merida) and Tom Devriendt (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) lead the race over the Oude Kwaremont cobbles.

: Rudy Barbier (Ag2r La Mondiale) was injured in a crash.

: Jelle Wallays (Lotto-Soudal) and Alex Kirsch (WB Aqua Protect-Veranclassic) tackle the first ascent of the Paterberg.

: The peloton up the Berendries.

: Gilbert has shown good form so far this season, including third at the Tour of Flanders.

: Luke Rowe (Team Sky) and John Degenkolb (Trek Segafredo) struggle up the tough cobbles of the Koppenberg.

: The cobbles of the Koppenberg are very rough.

: Sometimes there’s nothing you can do besides walk up the Koppenberg.

: Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) forced a decisive move after the Kruisberg climb. Eventual winner Niki Terpstra came across …

: … dropped Nibali, rode across to the leaders and then went it alone.

: In 2018, Niki Terpstra attacked from the bunch late, caught the remnants of the breakaway, then went on to win solo.

: At just 22, Mads Pedersen was a revelation of this year’s Tour of Flanders, finishing second behind solo winner Niki Terpstra.

: Strade Bianche winner Tiesj Benoot tried everything on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont to crack the other favourites.

: Former winner Alexander Kristoff would have to settle for 16th, 1:13 behind Terpstra.

: In 2018, Niki Terpstra attacked from the bunch, caught the break, passed them (including Mads Pedersen, pictured here), then rode away to a solo victory.