Sagan claims ‘Monument’ with Flanders win

FLANDERS, Belgium: World champion Peter Sagan won the Tour of Flanders to secure his maiden ‘Monument’ victory after riding clear on the last hill of the one-day classic on Sunday.

The Slovak, who had three previous top-five finishes in the race, pulled clear of Belgian Sep Vanmarcke near the end of the classic.

The Tinkoff rider, who broke a wheel early in the race, crossed the line 25 seconds ahead of Swiss Fabian Cancellara, who was aiming to become the first man to win the Belgian classic four times. Vanmarcke finished third.

Belgian Antoine Demoitie died following an accident involving a motorbike during the Gent-Wevelgem race last Sunday. His compatriot Daan Myngheer died on Monday after suffering a heart attack in the Criterium International.

Sagan and Michal Kwiatkowski made a decisive move towards the end of Sunday’s 255-km race when they pulled away from the main pack and were quickly joined by Vanmarcke.