Tour de Wallonie: Meersman wins final stage, overall

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Gianni Meersman, after taking four consecutive fourth place stage finishes in the Tour de Wallonie, finally claimed both the last stage win in Ans and the overall victory. The Omega Pharma-Quickstep sprinter out-paced Yves Lampaert (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise) and Jasper Stuyven (Trek Factory Racing) to claim the victory on the last stage.

"I am super happy about this victory," Meersman said. "Not only for the GC, but also the stage win because after being four times in second place. For me, it's important to be able to win this stage to finish off the great work of my teammates, and I did it, so I am thrilled."

It was the second stage race victory of Meersman's career - he won the Circuit des Ardennes in 2011, but said the level of competition made the win today even more satisfying. "I'm happy also for the team because before the race I felt really good. A few days before the race I called Sport Director Rik Van Slycke and I told him I would like to try for the GC. So, I did it, and we took the GC after two days. It’s a wonderful feeling to lead this team and have the team around me so we could win this race."

Meersman took the overall victory by 30 seconds over Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar), with Silvan Dillier (BMC Racing) in third. Dillier was also the best young rider.

Meersman also won the overall points classification.

Kevin Van Melsen (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) secured the mountains classification title after winning the first five of nine climbs on a route that took in several sections of the Liége-Bastogne-Liége course.

Zico Waeytens (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise) kept the overall win in the intermediate sprint classification, and his squad won the teams classification.

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