The Italian Ganna started last and had Wout van Aert 90 seconds ahead of him on the flat roads by the canals in Flanders.
When Ganna was on her way to the finish, van Aert had taken the lead and there was expectation from the general public for a home victory as van Aert led at both times, but Ganna snatched the victory by five seconds after finishing 47.48 and averaging 54 kilometers per hour.
This after having arranged the race perfectly.
- To be able to win in their home country is fantastic but unfortunately I woke up with a dream to win and it was fantastic to defend the jersey, says Ganna according to Cyclingnews.
van Aert close to crashing
van Aert was a big crowd favorite and his journey was followed by cheers "Wout, Wout, Wout".
At a narrow curve, van Aert was thrown on the bike and the day could have been ruined.
- It was close to a crash.
I started pedaling too early because I knew it would be a second battle, says van Aert who is starting to get tired of silver after taking it in the World Cup last year (both in the pace and the line race), at the Olympic line race and so now in front of the home crowd .
- It's another silver at a big championship and it's a disappointment, says van Aert who remained in the finish line to follow Ganna's finish and then went forward and gave him a hug.
Third was Remco Evenepoel who started early and had to sit in the leader's chair for a long time.
The competition began with a minute of silence to honor the memory of Chris Anker Sörensen, former star cyclist and commentator on Danish TV2, who tragically died on Saturday when he was out cycling in the area but was hit by a car.