In Maximilian Walscheid’s final professional cycle race, Olav Kooij won the Münsterland Giro. After 190 kilometres from Borken to Münster, the 2022 winner prevailed in a bunch sprint ahead of Jordi Meeus from Belgium and his Dutch compatriot Frits Biesterbos.
Walscheid missed out on a top finish as he brought his career to a close. The 33-year-old ran out of steam in the final metres and finished in twelfth place. The Rhineland-Palatinate native will remain with Lidl-Trek and is now moving to the team’s ‘Performance Centre’. Before the start, Walscheid had stated in an SWR interview that he was ending his career “feeling really, really good”. Among his greatest successes are the world championship title in the mixed team time trial in 2021 and his victory at the Münsterland Giro in 2018.
After a number of failed breakaway attempts, a six-man leading group initially formed, which was whittled down to five riders in the final stages. It was not caught until five kilometres from the finish. Jasper Philipsen, however, was unable to repeat his victories of the past two years. The Belgian co-favourite was held up by a technical problem.
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