Racing returns in Europe with Sénéchal win

Florian Sénéchal (Deceuninck-QuickStep) took the win in the return to competition in Belgium in the 164 kilometre GP Vermarc Sport after attacking late to win solo in Rotselaar.

Florian Senechal wins the GP Vermarc Source: Getty

It wasn't a UCI-sanctioned race, but the pace was on as competitive racing returned to real-life conditions, after months of riders being stuck at home on trainers and in virtual worlds.

Oscar Riesebeek (Alpecin-Fenix) took second place, while Victor Campenaerts (NTT) rounded out the podium in the kermesse.

The race started with a moment of silence for the amateur rider Niels De Vriendt, who died during a race on Saturday.

The action wasn't slow in kicking off, with Campanaerts attacking early and spearheading a lead group in front of a bridging bunch featuring Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quickstep). 

The Jakobsen group made contact, but the break wasn't to last in this form, with attacks splintering the group before an attack from the peloton bridged to the front of the race, with Sénéchal present.

The Frenchman made his move on a small climb with 15 kilometres remaining and soloed into the finish with a significant gap.