Tom Pidcock flew past Wout Van Aert on the home straight of the Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday for his first win at Ineos since turning professional in February.
The 21-year-old Briton outlasted the field on an energy-sapping course where Matteo Trentin came third.
“I waited and waited and when Wout went, I kind of got a little boxed in and then rushed and came past him,” Pidcock said.
“Beating Wout van Aert in a sprint is a surprise, but luckily for me he went early,” he added.
In his first season at Ineos, Pidcock has impressed with huge rookie performances at the Strade Bianche (5th) and the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (3rd).
Pidcock, Van Aert and Trentin dropped the other contenders on a narrow, cobbled climb 37km from home before their cat-and-mouse run in.
Thomas Pidcock sorpende tutti! ?
Il giovane britannico conquista la Freccia del Brabante e la prima vittoria in carriera su strada ??♂️??#EurosportCICLISMO | #BrabantsePijl pic.twitter.com/RGKJSRLrUe
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) April 14, 2021
