Lampaert claims Tour of Flanders warm-up victory

Brussels - Belgium's time-trial champion Yves Lampaert saw off favourites Greg Van Avermaet and Edvald Boasson Hagen to defend his Dwars door Vlaanderen title on Wednesday and boost his hopes in Sunday's Tour of Flanders.

Quick Step rider Lampaert beat out Dutchman Mike Teunissen and Belgian Sep Vanmarcke after springing clear 500m from the line to claim victory in the rain-hit Belgian semi-classic 180km cobbled road race.

Lampaert was one of five riders to break away with 25km to go to surprise Norwegian Boasson Hagen and Olympic champion Van Avermaet, who eventually finished fourth and eighth respectively.

Last year's Tour of Flanders winner Philippe Gilbert of Belgium and Slovakian world champion Peter Sagan opted out of the race.

Results from the 180km Dwars door Vlaanderen one-day semi-classic on Wednesday:

1. Yves Lampaert (BEL/Quick Step) 4hr 09min 40sec, 2. Mike Teunissen (NED) at 2sec, 3. Sep Vanmarcke (BEL) same time, 4. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) s.t., 5. Mads Pedersen (DEN) s.t., 6. Zdenek Stybar (CZE) 29, 7. Tiesj Benoot (BEL) 30, 8. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) 59, 9. Niki Terpstra (NED) s.t., 10. Jasper Stuyven (BEL) s.t.