Dwars door Vlaanderen: Neilson Powless stuns Wout van Aert and Visma

It is Powless’ first win since claiming the Japan Cup Road Race in October.

Van Aert, who has picked up nine Tour de France stage victories, remains without a win since taking the 10th stage in the Vuelta a Espana last August.

“It was me who made the call for the sprint. I was confident I could win, but in the sprint I cramped completely,” Van Aert said.

“I wanted the victory so bad, especially after all the criticism I’ve been through and all the bad luck I’ve been through.”

In the women’s race Elisa Longo Borghini recorded her 50th career victory with a fine solo effort after breaking away from the peloton with 30km left.

“I was very hungry for the victory here,” Longo Borghini said.

“I really wanted to prove that I was strong. There was some frustration in the last weeks, and I need to thank my trainer who is always keeping me calm.”