Hagenes just misses out on victory, Van Aert makes season debut in Ename Samyn Classic

# Hagenes Fights Hard in Ename Samyn Classic; Van Aert Makes Season Debut

In an intense showdown at the Ename Samyn Classic, Per Strand Hagenes narrowly missed out on victory, while Wout van Aert returned to competition after recovering from illness. The race was part of the Walloon cobbled classic circuit and showcased the resilience of the young Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

Van Aert, who had to forgo competing in the Flemish Opening Weekend due to health issues, made his season debut at the 1.1 race. Unfortunately, teammate Christophe Laporte opted to sit out the event, citing he didn’t feel fully fit, despite having recently played a pivotal role in Matthew Brennan’s triumph at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

With a youthful lineup, Team Visma took on the challenge with Hagenes, van Aert, and development riders Matisse Van Kerckhove, Aldo Taillieu, Pietro Mattio, and Loe van Belle. Approximately 60 kilometers from the finish, Hagenes and Mattio seized an opportunity to break away from the peloton, gradually catching up with the leaders and establishing a half-minute lead.

On one of the toughest cobbled sections, Rue de Belle Vue, Hagenes launched a solo attack and managed to create a significant gap. Nevertheless, after a grueling solo effort that stretched over 30 kilometers, Hagenes was ultimately caught by the peloton just before the finish line. Reflecting on his performance, he shared, “It was quite a battle, but it was worth the try. With two laps to go, we rode away with a nice group. The cooperation wasn’t optimal, so I thought: I’m going for it and we’ll see where it takes me. At the end, I felt my tank running empty, but I didn’t want to give up. I did my best, but in the end it was just not enough.”

While Hagenes showcased courage, van Aert encountered misfortune when a flat tire hindered his chances for a podium finish. “I had to swap bikes with a teammate and then I was in no man’s land. That was a shame,” he explained. “I felt okay, but I would have liked to race in the final to see how far I could get… Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.” Despite the setback, van Aert remains optimistic for upcoming races, stating, “It was definitely the right choice to start here. I think I took a step forward today.”

The race concluded with Jordi Meeus of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe clinching victory, followed closely by Laurenz Rex from Soudal Quick-Step and Hugo Hofstetter from NSN Cycling Team.

### Final Results:
1. **Jordi Meeus** (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) – 04:24:42
2. **Laurenz Rex** (Soudal Quick-Step) – +00:00:00
3. **Hugo Hofstetter** (NSN Cycling Team) – +00:00:00
…
21. **Loe van Belle** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
49. **Per Strand Hagenes** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:01:30
60. **Wout van Aert** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:01:57
…
DNF – **Christophe Laporte** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)

The excitement from the Ename Samyn Classic sets the stage for promising developments in the cycling season ahead, as van Aert and Hagenes continue to refine their strategies and push their limits.