Ilan Van Wilder Makes History with Victory at Tre Valli Varesine

Belgian cyclist Ilan Van Wilder secures an impressive solo win at the long-standing Italian one-day race.

Ilan Van Wilder of the Soudal Quick-Step team made a remarkable feat in Tre Valli Varesine, breaking away from a group of seasoned cyclists to claim victory. His win marks the first time a Belgian has won the Italian race since Eddy Merckx in 1968.

Van Wilder made his decisive move after a series of intense attacks from the race favorites. He managed to distance himself from the group on a false flat just before the 2km Casciago climb. With ten kilometers to go, he held a small margin and continued to push himself, arriving at the last ascent with a 20-second lead.

The final stretch on Via Sacco was a challenge, but Van Wilder navigated it with skill, efficiently managing his effort until the finish line. This victory not only marks his first win in a one-day race but also the first time the Soudal Quick-Step team has triumphed at Tre Valli Varesine.

“I am very happy with this win, the least expected victory of my career, as it came after not feeling that good last Saturday in Giro dell’Emilia. When I went clear it happened without me wanting to attack, all that I intended was to make a tempo, but then I had a gap and went full gas. Brama encouraged me from the car all the time, saying I had to do a time trial to the finish, and that’s what I did. This is an emotional victory, one for my teammates and the staff, after a difficult week,” said Ilan following Soudal Quick-Step’s 54th triumph of the season.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images