Nuyens claims first season victory in Namur

Belgian Nick Nuyens overcame a difficult season to take his first victory in two years in the GP de Wallonie on Wednesday. The 29-year-old bested Australian Allan Davis (Quick Step) and Silence Lotto's Roy Sentjens in the 203.8km race from Chaudfontaine to Namur. It is the third time Nuyens has won the event, which features the steep climb of the Citadel of Namur in the final kilometre.

The Acqua & Sapone squad did the bulk of the work to bring the race together in the finale for defending champion Stefano Garzelli, but following the final climb of the Citadel, Nuyens proved strongest.

Three Frenchmen tried their luck on the final climb, with Benoit Vaugrenard (FdJ), Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Christophe Le Mevel all trying their luck to no avail.

The peloton splintered, and Nuyens was able to attack in the final turns and hold off the charge of Davis in the dash for the line to claim a long awaited victory.

The result justified his selection for the Belgian world championship team. "There was a lot of pressure on me, so I'm very happy with this result," the Belgian told Sporza.be. 

Second placed Davis said "Nuyens went like mad in the final meters," but said that a lack of knowledge of the course ruined his effort to catch the Belgian.