Although Sjerdeprij is often associated with the spring sprinters' world championships, there are often horrific crashes at the finish, and the oldest race in Flanders in the fall of 2020 was no exception to this rule. Caleb Yuan (Lotto Soudal) won the sprint, but chaos was brewing behind him.

Just 100 meters from Schouten's finish, Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was surrounded and suddenly swerved from left to right, through a hole that wasn't there, and wrapped around the front wheel of August Jensen (Liwaard Securitas), Jensen was sent to the pack with the other riders.

Ackermann looked like he would finish second behind Yuan, but was demoted after the race jury watched a replay of the sprint. Pierre Barbier (Nissan Delco Provence) also crashed, and Ivan Garcia Cortina (Bahrain McLaren) was seen climbing over the handlebars during the crash.

Jensen appeared to pass out for a short time, but was able to get up and talk with medical support. Immediately after the race, his Danish team commented on Twitter that "Norwegians are fine in this situation."

Garcia Cortina, who was expected to be one of the Bahrain McLaren team leaders in Sunday's Tour of Flanders, also received a major shock. His status has not yet been confirmed by the team.

When the first three riders (Ewan, Ackermann, and Niccolo Bonifazio (Total Direct Energy)) were ushered into a tent to prepare for the podium ceremony, a race official told Ackermann that he was no longer needed.

"I don't know why," Ackermann, who won two stages at Tirreno-Adriatico in September, said when he returned to his bike, "that guy just told me to go. He then watched the TV footage on the big screen, but did not want to wait for a replay of the sprint.

With Ackerman's disposal, Bonifazio moved up to second place, with Brian Coquard (B&B Hotels - Vital Concepts) in third. Tim Mellier (Alpecin Phoenix) was fourth and Yasper Filipsen (UAE Team Emirates) was fifth.

Steffen Radkula, sports director of Bora Hansgrohe, had a different recollection of the event.

"This was clearly a misjudgement by the jury. Pascal found a hole and started sprinting without touching any of the riders. Unfortunately, one rider touched his rear wheel and fell. But this is a common occurrence during races. In my opinion, this was simply the wrong decision. Unfortunately for Pascal, but unfortunately for the other racers as well.

Jensen did not understand Radocha's reaction. 'If I am at fault, it surprises me,' he said. I don't know if the jury that demoted him was right or wrong. All I know is that I was in a very good position and heading for a great result. Now I don't have that result," Jensen told Cycling News.

Jensen was treated on the spot, but later told Cycling News that he lost consciousness for a second or two when he hit the ground.

"I'm a little bruised and battered and probably concussed, I only remember parts of the course that I rode 10 times, so my memory is kind of fuzzy. I don't remember the sprint too well, but I just saw it on the screen. It was a sprint. Ackermann is a great sprinter and if there is a hole, he can jump into it. Sometimes sprints look different on TV, but from what I saw, he moved too fast from left to right," Jensen told Cycling News.

However, there was one Bora-Hansgrohe rider who did a really good job. Rüdiger Selig returned to the peloton after his lead-out was over and walked by Jensen. He immediately stopped and tried to help.

"I really appreciated the gesture from Ryder. Sadly, I don't remember him being there," Jensen later said.

The 29-year-old Norwegian rider was scheduled to compete in the Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne next week. There is still a week to go. We still have one more week, so now we are positive that we have a chance to participate."

Denmark's Rewal Securitas team is aiming to be selected for the Tour de France Grande Pearl in Copenhagen in 2022. Their so-called Nordic fighters have certainly raised their profile with their participation in the Scheldepri, including a solid run by Piotr Havik on Wednesday.

Havik was in a long breakaway with Mark Cavendish and others; the 26-year-old Dutch rider was caught by the peloton with 8km to go, the last rider to survive from the breakaway. Despite the final crash, the team placed Arvid de Klein in the top ten.

A short distance away from Ackermann, Belgian riders Merlier and Philipsen began to sprint for the win. Clearly unhappy with the way the race was unfolding, Merlier gestured his frustration as he crossed the finish line.

"Once again I couldn't ride my sprint. The team put me in a good position but it was too early to start my sprint. Just 350 meters from the finish line, a train from the UAE passed by. I slowed down too much. Then Ewan passed by. I thought it was over. Then I boxed in, too [which was frustrating. You know you have the legs to win, but you can't show it. I think that's sprinting," Mélié said in the mixed zone after the race.

Philipsen also expressed his displeasure at finishing fifth behind Merlier.

"Alexander [Kristoff] did a perfect lead-out for me. They surrounded me on the left side. I was in a good position and should have started sprinting earlier. They closed the door on me. I am not happy with this result," said Philipsen. He will drop down to the pro team level in 2021 and sign a two-year contract with Alpecin Phoenix.