Jules Vydt sprints to victory in the Katjeskoers

Jules Vydt has claimed victory in the Men U17 Gent-Wevelgem. The fast rider from the Van Moer Logistics Cycling Team held off Opstaele and teammate Delanghe in a bunch sprint on the Rijselstraat.

At 9:05, the Men U17 kicked off the second edition of the Gent-Wevelgem Youth Day. Under a radiant sun, a bagpiper traditionally signaled the start. Two riders broke away almost immediately: Viggo Stroobants and Mathieu Houpresse built up a lead of 2’20”. Emile Vandervinne tried to bridge the gap but remained stuck between the breakaway and the peloton.

The Monteberg marked the start of the chase with a series of small attacks. Shortly after, the peloton took a big chunk out of the leaders' advantage on the Kemmelberg. Houpresse looked strongest uphill but was dropped on the descent. The breakaway duo was caught with 22 km to go.

A strong lead group of 18 riders broke clear and faced a headwind over the final 18 km toward the Rijselstraat. The leaders, including Jules Vydt and Lars Stockman, gained a 20-second advantage over a thinned-out peloton. A few kilometers from the finish, the groups came back together. In a bunch sprint, Vydt had the most power left in his legs. Opstaele and Delanghe secured second and third place.