Race history

After a convincing sprint on the renewed finish area at the "Kop van de Vaart" in Roeselare, the sympathetic Gerben Thijssen finally won.

The verdict came after a photofinish, which eventually pointed out the Wanty rider as the winner.

The traditional breakaway of the day saw Zak Coleman (VolkerWessels), Emil Toudal (Team ColoQuick), Nick Zukowsky (Q36.5), Carlos Canal (Euskatel-Euskadi), Ryan Christensen (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) sign on along with our lowlanders Thibeau Verhofstadt (Tarteletto-Isorex), Rick Pluimers (Tudor) and Huub Artz ( Metec-Solarwatt).

On the twisting and constantly turning course, spectators never got the feeling that the breakaway riders would be out of harm's way, their bonus amounted to a maximum of 3 minutes.

No classic last 25 kilometers because under the impulse of the sprinters' teams with open canvas for Soudal- Quick-Step, everything was drawn to a ribbon, with no real separation except for Jesse Kramer ( Lotto - Jumbo Dev. ) and his compatriot Jaap Roelen ( Metec- Solarwatt). A depleted peloton stormed into the Rodenbach city where Gerben Thijssen eventually won.

The GP Monseré 2022 was won by Arnaud De Lie. After a 203-kilometre course between Hooglede-Gits and Roeselare, the 19-year-old sprinter from Lotto Soudal was first at the finish, ahead of Dries De Bondt (Alpecin-Fenix) and Hugo Hofstetter (Arkéa-Samsic). De Lie succeeded Tim Merlier in the Exterioo Cycling Cup stage.

The first breakaway included Thomas Joseph (Minerva), Robbe Ghys (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Robin Orins (Elevate p/b Home Solution Soenens), Jon Knolle (Saris Rouvy Sauerland) and Robert Scott (WiV SunGod). They were joined halfway through the race by a sixth rider in the person of Jonas Hvideberg (Team DSM). The lead of the six was up to five minutes.

Because the leading group had to stop for a closed level crossing, the lead dwindled to less than a minute within a short time. Sprinters' teams Lotto Soudal and Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise therefore held their legs a bit still, to give the leaders some extra space.

Peloton thins out in the closing stages
Entering the final local lap (a 50-kilometre circuit through Roeselare, Hooglede-Gits, Kortemark, Koekelare, Ichtegem, Torhout and Lichtervelde), the gap was just under a minute and a half. That lead dropped at lightning speed when trains were put on the rails in the peloton. There was considerable nervousness as the wind also played a role. A regrouping followed at 19 kilometres from the finish.

Arkéa-Samsic and Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl took the lead in the peloton, which by now had thinned out considerably due to the wind, the succession of short climbs, cobbled sections and narrow roads. On the final Gitsberg, Ludovic Robeet placed an attack, riding away from the rest by eight seconds. However, at one and a half kilometres from the finish, he was caught again.

In the final kilometre, Lotto Soudal pulled off the sprint and it turned into a sprint between Arnaud De Lie and Hugo Hofstetter. The Belgian sprinter, who also won in Mallorca earlier this season, was well ahead and was able to cheer in time. Dries De Bondt finished second with a nice jump, ahead of Hofstetter.

Pic.: Cor Vos 

Former Belgian champion Tim Merlier defeated Mark Cavendish and West Fleming Timothy Dupont in the sprint.

It was early day in Hooglede, but that did not stop nine riders from taking the lead. The names: Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ U23), Stefano, yes son of, Museeuw (BEAT Cycling), Clément Carisey (Delko), Syver Waersted (Uno-X), Daniel Tullett (Canyon dhb), Jeroen Eyskens (EvoPro Racing), Rick Ottema (Metec-Solarwatt), Stan Van Tricht (SEG Racing Academy) and Jon Knolle (SKS Sauerland NRW).

The maximum lead went up to 4 minutes, then the sprinters' teams thought it was enough and among others the Hooglede and Gitsberg were used to narrow the gap. On that same Gitsberg, during the second last lap, everything was to be redone, although English talent Lewis Askey offered the most resistance. The final 20 kilometres were traditionally nervous. At 7 kilometres from the finish, yes on the Gitsberg, forever linked since 2011 to "Philippe Gilbert's jump to the Belgian championship", Amaury Capiot ( Arkea-Samsic) tried an all-or-nothing attempt. He got a few seconds encore but this was insufficient to avoid being caught.

In the sprint on the Beversesteenweg, there was no limit to Tim Merlier, who won well ahead of a visibly disappointed Mark Cavendish.

Photo: Cor Vos

 Top 5: 

1. Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix)

2. Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck - Quick-Step)

3. Timothy Dupont ( Bingoal- Wallonie Bruxelles) 

4. Pierre Barbier (Delko)

5. Ricardo Minali (Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux) 

Rain and wind had been promised by our meteorologists, and that promise held true. So the riders were tightly packed at the start in Hooglede.

Three riders applied for the title "breakaway of the day": most famous name was Lionel Taminiaux ( Bingoal- Wallonie Bruxelles), he got Justin Wolf (Bike Aid ) and Jens van den Dool (Metec- TKH) in this breakaway. Before halfway through the race, however, Lionel was brought back to the bunch by the team car, which was obviously not a good thing for the two remaining riders. The saying " birds before the kitten" unfortunately also became true for this likeable duo. We got a splendid sprint, nicely portrayed by Sporza, in which there was no limit to the Dutch sprint bomb Fabio Jakobsen, he easily took the measure of Belgian teammates Timothy Dupont and Alfdan De Decker. 

Top 5: 

1. Fabio Jakobsen  (Deceuninck - Quick Step)

2. Timothy Dupont (Circus- Wanty Gobert)

3. Alfdan De Decker ( Circus-Wanty Gobert)

4. Luca Mozzato ( B&B Hotels - Vital Concept p/b KTM)

5. Thomas Boudat ( Team Arkéa Samsic)  

Aalter was the starting place of the G.P. Monseré.

As soon as the riders arrived in Aalter, it became clear that the race was going to be a double on its side.
No start was finally made in Aalter, obviously not to take any risks with the riders, guides and the numerous volunteers along the road.

As an alternative, seven local laps in Roeselare were chosen, but on recon it became clear that it was impossible to start there.

It was therefore with regret that it was decided to cancel this edition.

We would like to expressly thank all our sponsors for joining us in looking forward to edition 2020.

Dutch rider André Looij (Monkey Town) crossed the line first in Beveren ( part municipality of Roeselare).

Under a bright sun, he easily overtook Frenchman Pierre Barbier (Roubaix Lille Métropole) and our compatriot Kenny Dehaes ( WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic) in the sprint. 

Top 5:

1. André Looij (Monkey Town)

2. Pierre Barbier ( Roubaix Lille Métropole)

3. Kenny Dehaes (WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic)

4. Yoeri Havik ( Vlasman Track/ Road Continental Team)

5. Sasha Weemaes (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise) 

Laurens Sweeck was the best in Roeselare. He sprinted away from a select group of 25 riders at 4 kilometres from the finish and maintained a lead of several seconds.

In Ypres, the centre of Flanders Fields, a remarkable delegation of top cyclo-cross riders was present: Eli Iserbyt, Kevin Pauwels, Klaas Vantornout, the Sweeck clan with Diether, Hendrik and Laurens, in addition to top Belgian riders Stijn Devolder, Preben Van Hecke, Dries De Bondt, Taco Van Der Hoorn and eternal attackers David Boucher and Frederik Veuchelen.

The passages through the Heuvelland made for a natural selection so a depleted peloton started the closing laps in Roeselare. At 4 kilometres from the finish, top talent Laurens Sweeck deemed his chance taken and sprinted away on the flat roads of Roeselare. He just stayed ahead of the chasing peloton and booked his first pro victory, the start of a great cycling career!

Top 5: 

1.Laurens Sweeck (Era Circus)

2. Roy Jans ( WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect)

3. Jérôme Baugnies ( Wanty - Groupe Gobert)

4. Edward Planckaert (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise)

5. Jérémy Leveau ( Roubaix Lille Métropole) 

In a sunny edition of our Grand Prix, Lars Boom took the measure of inbred West Fleming Stijn Steels in the sprint.

Quite quickly, a 30-strong breakaway formed which was reduced to nine riders. Lars Boom did not want to wait for the sprint and made an all or nothing attempt. Only Stijn Steel was still able to catch up with the Dutchman, but didn't stand a chance in the sprint.

Watch the race report below.

https://www.focus-wtv.be/sport/lars-boom-wint-prijs-jempi-monser%C3%A9

Top 5: 

1. Lars Boom (Astana Pro Team)

2. Stijn Steels ( Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise) 

3. Timothy Dupont ( Veranda's Willems CT)

4. Mathieu Van Der Poel (Beobank- Cordendon) 

5. Tom Van Asbroeck ( Team Lotto NL- Jumbo) 

Jurgen Roelandts took the victory flowers in the shadow of the Sint-Amandskerk in Roeselare.

Our vice-Belgian champion outmanoeuvred Jérôme Baugnies and Danny van Poppel in the sprint.

Under cloudy skies and with some heavy rain on the menu, the local rounds were completed in Roeselare.

The many spins, rain and wind made for a natural selection.

In the sprint of a reduced group there was no limit to Jurgen Roelandts, who was able to take revenge for his second place at the Belgian championship.

1. Jürgen Roelandts (Lotto Soudal)

2. Jérôme Baugnies (Wanty-Groupe Gobert)

3. Danny van Poppel (Trek Factory Racing) 

4. Jens Vandenbogaerde (An Post- Chainreaction)

5. Baptiste Planckaert (Roubaix Lille Métropole) 

Man of the region Guillaume Van Keirsbulck won this edition of our Grand Prix. He crossed the line solo in Roeselare.

Already in the second local lap, Iljo Keisse and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck took the attacking initiative. They were joined by Philippe Gilbert, Timothy Dupont, Benjamin Verraes, Philip Walsleben, Cameron Karwowski and top talent Mathieu Van der Poel.

The eight rotated perfectly which, also due to a late reaction, prevented the peloton from catching the breakaway riders. Guillaume, supported by his loyal supporters from the region posted a clever attack and made it to the finish line separated.

Top 5:

1st Guillaume Van Keirsbulck ( Omega Pharma - Quick Step)

2. Mathieu Van Der Poel ( BKCP - Powerplus)

3rd Iljo Keisse ( Omega Pharma - Quick Step)

4. Timothy Dupont ( Roubaix Lille Métropole)

5. Benjamin Verraes( Josan - To Win)

Tom Van Asbroeck won the second edition of our race. After nearly 170 kilometres of racing, he was fastest in Roeselare before Wouter Wippert and Baptiste Planckaert.

Stijn Devolder showed off his national champion's jersey at the start. The Belgian champion himself was not part of the breakaway of 15 riders including Jens Keukeleire, Preben Van Hecke, Wouter Wippert , Kevin Peeters and Baptiste Planckaert. It was those five who made an ultimate effort to win, but they never got out of the reach of the other riders. In the final straight, 22-year-old Tom Van Asbroeck still managed to steam through on and over Wippert and Planckaert, taking a fine victory.

Top 5:

1. Tom Van Asbroeck ( Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise)

2. Wouter Wippert (Team 3M)

3. Baptiste Planckaert ( crelan - Euphony)

4. Jens Keukeleire ( Orica- Greendedge)

5. Preben Van Hecke ( Topsport Vlaanderen ) Baloise) 

Our first edition is a fact! Frédéric Amorison was the best rider at this first edition of the G.P. Monseré.

Frédéric pulled ahead of Finn Paajanen.

Vzw Mandelzonen, our organisation, looks back on this first edition with satisfaction. "It was always our intention to organise a professional race, in memory of Jean-Pierre Monseré, the Roeselare world champion who passed away far too early".

As a tribute to the rider Rob Goris, who died this week, Rob's bike rode along for the entire race on the roof of his team Accent Jobs Veranda's Willems.

We sympathise hard with Rob's family and friends.

Top 5:

1. Frédéric Amorison (Landbouwkrediet - Euphony)

2. Paavo Paajanen (Jakroo Fuji Test Team)

3. Baptiste Planckaert (Landbouwkrediet - Euphony)

4. Joeri Calleeuw ( BCV Works CT Ingelmunster)

5. Gerry Druyts ( EFC-Omega Pharma-Quick Step)