The chase group timed it just right until it went wrong. EQS kept the gap at 50 seconds or so for kilometre after kilometre. As last year, that forced the break to work together to keep up the pace. A group of Lotto riders (with man in the break) immediately behind EQS gave the rest of the depleted peloton an excuse not to contribute.
The catch kicked off at 6.2km to go and was perfectly paced to reach the break in the last couple of hundred metres. But at two and half kilometres out closure paused for about 1,500m, after which time it was too late. I got the impression there was no 1km inflatable arch with red kite. Possibly it was because of a dual carriageway at that point.
Hatch spotted the gap rapidly closing several minutes after the rest of us. But he can be forgiven as he was on his own for several hours in the commentary box (as Duffers used to be). Pictures were okay without the break up due to low bitrates I have seen on Bike Channel triathlon swims.
Apparently, the women's race was covered on Belgian TV. The only video I have found so far are these brief blotchy highlights and winner's interview:
https://youtu.be/clNW9XTm_r4