Lotto Soudal's Tony Gallopin won the 57th edition of the Grand Prix de Wallonie
On a very warm day in Beaufays, nine riders got into a lead which at its maximum was six minutes.
They were hunted down by Lotto Soudal and Etixx – Quick-Step and they caught them on the Côte de Lustin.
Seven riders formed a new attack which stayed clear until the foot of the Côte de la Citadelle de Namur.
Then there was another attack and out of this, Lotto Soudal's Tony Gallopin shot forward and was able to put some distance between himself and the chaser.
Vakoc got close to him but Gallopin beat him in the sprint to take the win.
“The team did a perfect job today," said Gallopin to the Lotto Soudal Press Office.
"All day long we were positioned on the first rows of the peloton chasing down the front group. The attack on the second last climb of the race was a good starting point. We were with seven good riders and we managed to create a small gap pretty fast. Bakelants was very good today. He was the one that set up the breakaway and his teammate Pozzovivo was among us as well. We worked together but it wasn’t perfect. That’s the reason why we were reeled in at the foot of the citadel.
"When we were caught by the peloton I had a moment to recover. I found my own pace and I moved up to the fifteenth position. The further we went uphill, the better I felt and the better I was positioned in the bunch.
"At a certain moment I felt ready to attack once again and I gave everything I had.
"Two years ago I finished second on the citadel. I couldn’t take the victory home. This climb suits me very well. In the last fifty metres Vakoc came really close and the stress was getting to me. Fortunately I went fast enough to bring home the victory.
“The team gave me permission to change my programme because I wanted to focus on the European Championships that are coming up this Sunday. That’s why I didn’t participate in the races in Canada. Instead I chose to ride the Tour of Britain before I came here for the Grand Prix de Wallonie.
"It feels really good to know that the team trusts me. In the Tour of Britain I felt better every day. I hoped to win a stage there, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. But my focus is on Sunday, that’s when I want to be really good.”