Jan Tratnik squeezed the brakes after a few dozen kilometers. The Slovenian was still suffering too much from his crash in Gent-Wevelgem.

With just under seventy kilometers to go, the pace increased significantly. Team Visma | Lease a Bike took the initiative of the race. A big crash at high speed then completely disrupted the race. As one of the main victims, Van Aert sat groaning in pain on the asphalt. Visibly affected and badly injured, the Belgian left the race a few moments later in an ambulance. At the hospital, it was later revealed that Van Aert broke his collarbone and several ribs. As a result, Van Aert will not participate in the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race.

However, there was not much time to think about their teammate's serious crash for Jorgenson and Benoot. The two were forced to change tack and ended up in a strong leading group of six. It was Benoot who smoked out the competition several times, allowing Jorgenson to launch an all-decisive attack with seven kilometers to go. The American thus booked his second victory of the season after the final victory in Paris-Nice. The victory tally for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike men's team in 2024 shoots up to eighteen.

"It's incredible. This season is really surpassing my wildest dreams," Jorgensen stammered after the race. "The presence of Tiesj allowed us to play off the situation as a duo. We did that perfectly. The situation bombed us as favorites, but we just had to do it. Fortunately, we were able to do it. I'm very happy with my first win in a one-day race."

Soon the American's thoughts turn to his crashe teammate. "My attention is with Wout at the moment. I hope he will recover quickly. I was near him and saw it happen. Right away I knew it was wrong. It was hard to turn the switch, but we had no choice," stated the first American winner of Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Benoot, eventually fourth, recounted his findings. "We were ready with the team to ignite the race. At I think eighty kilometers per hour, quite a few riders, including Wout, crashed down. I had him in my head for the rest of the race. But the switch had to be turned. We did everything we could to win the race. Matteo was very strong and I'm glad he finished it off. With my own condition today, I am also satisfied. However, that feeling doesn't stick with me. I am very happy with Matteo's victory, but at the same time I feel terrible for Wout," Benoot said.