Redemption for Segaert as he wins GP Denain a day after Nokere heartbreak

Alec Segaert (Bahrain Victorious) made one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent memory, overcoming the heartbreak of being denied at Nokere Koerse in the last 300 metres to win the Grand Prix de Denain with a smart late attack just 24 hours later.

The Belgian escaped with Per Strand Hagnes (Visma | Lease a Bike) with 45km to go, and the pair enjoyed a spirited duel on the final stretches of cobbles. After eventually winning that contest, Segaert then had to hold off a fast-closing chasing group to claim the spoils and make amends for his disappointment in Nokere.

The 'Mini-Roubaix' began with a small breakaway forging clear of the bunch, with Aaron Gate (XDS-Astana), Ashlin Barry (Visma | Lease a Bike), Cole Kessler (Modern Adventure),  Alessio Delle Vedove (XDS-Astana), Antoine Berger (St Michel), Morne Van Niekerk (St Michel), Nolan Huysman (Flanders Baloise), Killian Theot (Van Rysel Roubaix) and Gorka Sorarrain (Caja Rural) combining well together.

The break was caught with 63km to go, however, after Visma | Lease a Bike had led the chase behind. Meanwhile, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarche) really couldn't buy a break as the Belgian suffered three punctures on the day, which saw him spend the majority of the day chasing back on, ruling out his chances.

The race really lit up after the break was caught, with sustained attacks over the coming kilometres. The successful attack came on sector 7, with 45km to go, when Strand Hagnes and Segaert went clear. 

Heading into the final third of the race, the duo pushed on, with their advantage sitting at just under 30 seconds as the peloton behind started to get their act together to reel them in.

The first rider to attempt to bridge across in the finale was Brent Van Moer, who was in no man's land between the front group and the pack behind, until he sat up and was caught by a group containing Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin Premier-Tech), Jonas Geens (Alpecin Premier-Tech), Alessandro Romele (XDS-Astana), Aime De Gendt (Pinarello Q36.5) and Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull).

Victory was finely poised between the two groups, with Strand Hagnes and Segaert carrying a 32-second lead into the final 10km. Strand Hagnes attacked on the final cobbled sector, opening a gap over Segaert, but the Belgian fought hard to stay within distance.

The peloton was still 18 seconds down with less than 5km, while Strand Hagnes battled to hold a marginal gap over Segaert. His resistence would be overcome, however, when Segaert rocketed past him and struck out alone. 

Was he going to experience deja vu and be denied at the last? No, not this time. The peloton behind never made any ground inside the flamme rouge, as the Segaert flew across the line to take his third professional win.