In the junior race, 25 teams took the start in Deinze. Our national top teams faced a significant portion of Europe’s junior elite. Defending winner Jarno Widar had already dominated Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne earlier, making him a logical favorite. But the competition was fierce… The weather is cool with spring sunshine; it was pleasant racing weather. The course did its work; the sequence of cobblestone sections and climbs caused a selection in the peloton. But those who remained did so for a very long time in a compact group.
It was only in the final lap that a group of 6; 2 Belgians, 3 Brittish and a Slovenian could make the difference. And even in that leading group, the racing was hard. The leading group fell apart. Ultimately, only Lars Vanden Heede and Jed Smithson could stay clear of the charging peloton. Vanden Heede, who had already done considerable work at the front, had to acknowledge his superior in the sprint against the Brit.
This resulted in a beautiful international podium with Smithson in first, Vanden Heede in second and Slovenian Erzen Zak in third. The last one won the peloton sprint with overwhelming force.
The first CAPS Mountain Prize went to Dutchman Camiel Klignet!
