Max Schachmann (opens in new tab) (Beulah Hernsgrohe), who shared the finale of the Amstel Gold Race with Wout Van Art (opens in new tab) (Jumbo Visma) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), sprinted He did not try to beat them in the

Van Aert and Pidcock were part of the leading trio on De Brabantse Pijl and easily pulled away from Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) in the sprint to the line.

"I was quite far from the finish and I knew it would be very difficult in that group. I knew I had the best chance because I believed I had the best chance at 1500m to the finish.

"Unfortunately it didn't work out. Van Aert immediately clung to my rear wheel."

In other words, the German rider had to wait for his chance during the sprint, which reversed the order from Brabantspaille and resulted in a photo finish for Pidcock and Van Aert.

"Everyone did their best and we are very happy with his third place," said sport director Steffen Radkula. Max tried to attack in the last few kilometers, but he couldn't shake off the other two riders. But third place is a great result and a testament to the strong work of the entire team."

Schachmann, who took his second win of the year in Paris-Nice, managed to join the top trio despite crashing with 50km to go and struggling to make it back to the peloton.

"It was tough to get back, but I'm happy with my performance today and I won the beer contest on the podium," Schachmann said with a laugh after downing a race-sponsored beer on the podium.

"I'm feeling good," the 27-year-old rider said during a media briefing broadcast on CyclingProNet.

"It was a good test today after the Basque Country, which was a hard race, so it was a good test.