Dwars door Vlaanderen: Filippo Ganna catches and passes Wout van Aert in closing metres to score dramatic last gasp victory

Filippo Ganna secured a dramatic victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen, catching and then decisively passing Wout van Aert in the final metres of the race. Van Aert, who had launched a late solo attack, was denied the win, while Uno-X Mobility’s Søren Wærenskjold claimed the final podium spot, sprinting to third place from the chasing group. Ganna's powerful surge in the closing moments underscored his formidable engine, converting what seemed like a certain solo win for Van Aert into a last-gasp triumph.

This outcome carries significant implications for the upcoming cobbled classics, particularly the Tour of Flanders. Van Aert's aggressive but ultimately unsuccessful move highlights both his strength and potential tactical vulnerabilities, especially when isolated against a powerful pursuer like Ganna. For Ganna, this win marks a significant step in his classics ambitions, proving he can contend with the very best on these challenging roads and adding a crucial dimension to Ineos Grenadiers' spring campaign.

Ganna's victory serves as a potent reminder that even the most dominant riders are not immune to the vagaries of the final kilometre, and that sometimes, sheer horsepower trumps tactical finesse.