Kris Boeckmans of Lotto Soudal said it was wonderful to win the World Ports Classic.
Boeckmans rode to victory on the second stage from Antwerp to Rotterdam and thanks to a good placing in the first stage, he took the overall victory.
“Fifteen kilometres after the official start we had the first intermediate sprint. It was my goal to win it and move closer to Andrea Guardini who led the GC. I was third at six seconds before the stage. I won the sprint, Guardini got third and that way I came two seconds closer," Boeckman told the Lotto Soudal press office.
"Then we let go of a breakaway. Among other Thomas De Gendt helped to chase later in the stage.
“I had a flat tyre in the finale, but could soon take back my place in the front of the bunch.
"With four kilometres to go there was a crash and Guardini got held up after he had had a puncture as well. It was over for him. It was only a small group that was in front. Tiesj Benoot, Marcel Sieberg, Jürgen Roelandts and I were in it. Jens Debusschere would have been our sprinter for today, but he had crashed, so it was up to me.
"The guys did a perfect job. I waited long enough, started sprinting with 150 metres to go and won. I have eight victories at this moment, that’s wonderful.”