On the 116th edition of the infamous Hell of the North, world champion rider Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) was able to hold off Silvan Dilliere (AG2R-La Mondiale) and a procession of talented riders to capture victory on the day.
The day began dry and windy, as the riders set off from the famed French city of Paris to begin their 257 kilometer trek.
Riders jockeyed for position, settling in early to an edgy pack, before Peter Sagan was able to make a key tactical move 55 kilometers from the finish. Sagan emerged off the front, stringing out the peloton and setting himself up for a grueling push to the finish with few able to hold on to his pace.
In the final stretch, only Silvan Dilliere was able to stay with Sagan, as the two riders fought it out for victory in the final kilometer.
However, Sagan was able to use his unmatched top-end speed to fend of Dilliere, and emerge victorious at one of the most feared and respected of cycling's five monuments.
Following Sagan and Dilliere, Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step) was able to put in an impressive day, finishing in third place less than a minute back of the top two riders, followed by Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) who is coming off an outstanding 2017 season and Jesper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo).
Tragically, Michael Goolaerts (Verandas Willems-Crelan) passed away in the hospital following the race from complication from a crash during the race.
Top 10 Finishers
1st: Peter Sagan (Bora-Hangrohe)
2nd: Silvan Dilliere (AG2R-La Mondiale)
3rd: Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors)
4th: Greg Van Avermaet (BMC)
5th: Jesper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo)
6th: Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First-Drapac)
7th: Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin)
8th: Taylor Phinney (EF Education First-Drapac)
9th: Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors)
10th: Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal)
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