After a frustrating first week for Alpecin-Deceuninck, the world champion took matters in his own hands to launch Jasper Philipsen to victory in Saint-Amand-Montrond.
With his unique explosive skills, Mathieu van der Poel accelerated from 46.7km/h to 67.5km/h and Philipsen sealed the deal with a top speed of 71.9km/h inside the last 50 metres.