Oscar Gatto, of Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, won the Dwars Door Vlaanderen today in Belgium. The Italian won the 199km race after overhauling Europcar’s Voeckler in the final 100meters.

Dwars Door Vlaanderen saw the World Tour peloton head back to the home of the classics, Belgium. After the weather shortened Milan-San Remo it was a tired peloton that faced more rain and cold temperatures as they rolled out from Roeselare.

Large groups, with riders from Omega Pharma Quick Step, Argos Shimano, Lotto Belisol, Europcar, Astana, Cofidis, tried their luck breaking away but were never given much rope by the peloton - only 90seconds as the race approached the final 70kilometers and the decisive climbs.

With 60k to go Gert Steegmans (OP-QS) and Mathew Hayman (SKY) attacked from the lead group on the climb of the Steenbeekdries. Behind the chasing group absorbed the remains of the break. The flurry of climbs, including the famous Paterberg, saw numerous riders take their chances, resulting in a new nine man group at the front with Hayman, Gatto, Stannard (SKY) fresh from his fine Milan-San Remo performance, and Voeckler.

Voeckler eventually jumped clear on the final climb, gaining 10seconds with 5kilometers to ride. The Frenchman stretched his lead out to 17seconds and looked to have the race in control until both Stannard and Vandenbergh (OP-QS) put in huge turns at the front. Gatto was the beneficiary, beating Bozic (Astana) and Hayman to the line with Voeckler fading to 5th.

1 Oscar Gatto (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia
2 Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana Pro Team
3 Mathew Hayman (Aus) Sky Procycling
4 Mirko Selvaggi (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
5 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar