27 June 2010 – Stijn Devolder won his second Belgian Cycling Championship title today, displaying spectacular athleticism and strategy during the last lap of the 240-kilometer Leuven circuit. Today’s triumph follows Devolder’s 2007 Belgian Championship victory in Ronse.

The turning point for Devolder was at around 50 kilometers from the finish line, when a group that included Devolder himself, Gilbert, Roelandts, Van Avermaet, Devenyns, Leukemans, Monfort, VanSummeren, Veuchele e Capelle broke from the peloton and took the lead of the race. Gilbert tried to attack and take the lead during the penultimate lap of the competition, without succeeding. Once the group got to the last lap of the Leuven circuit, Devolder chose the perfect moment to attack his opponents, and crossed the finish line alone, edging out Philippe Gilbert and Frederik Veuchelen.

“I am incredibly happy – Stijn Devolder explained – This is a dream come true. This is a very special jersey for me! After wearing this jersey in 2007 in Ronse I had, quite possibly, one of the best season in my career. I hope that will be the case again. This success, paired with the Tour of Belgium win I obtained a few weeks ago, really rewards me for all the hard work I’ve done. I am truly and deeply satisfied.”

Stijn Devolder’s win was accompanied by Dries Devenyns’s seventh place in the race, and by a good performance of the whole QUICK STEP cycling team, that stayed focused and concentrated in every phase of the race.

Good news for the team also came from Italy, where Dario Cataldo obtained a prestigious second place in the National Time Trial Championship, behind Marco Pinotti of Team HTC-Columbia. Meantime in Spain Carlos Barredo ended fourth, while in France Sylvain Chavanel placed ninth in their respective Road National Championships.
Final Classification
1. Stijn Devolder-240 km-5h53’19’’
2. Philippe Gilbert (Team OmegaPharma-Lotto)
3. Frederik Veuchelen (Topsport-Vlaanderen)