Today a CULT Energy Pro Cycling delegation was in action in the 197.7 kilometer long Belgian one-day race Nokere Koerse where several breakaway attempts were threatening the sprinters throughout the race, including CULT Energy's Alex Kirsch. However, the race was concluded in a frantic bunch sprint on a cobbled finish line where Kris Boeckmans (Lotto Soudal) was the strongest and where Mads Pedersen took the role as captain.

The initial breakaway consisting of Alphonse Vermote (Vastgoedservice - Golden Palace), Jonas Rickaert (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise), David Boucher (FDJ), Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), and Dieter Bouvry (Roubaix Lille Metropole) was caught with 50 kilometers remaining. The sprint teams were then forced to react to a series of counter-attacks and one of the most fierce moves was launched by CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Alex Kirsch. The final escapee was swept up on the final of 8 laps on the local circuit in Nokere.

From then on, the pace was increased and in the final 15 kilometers, the bunch was stretched out and significantly whittled down due to the intense battle for position on the front. Entering the cobbled uphill finish, CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s 19-year-old Mads Pedersen lost an otherwise solid position and had to re-gain contact with the front of the bunch but never made it in the top-10.

CULT Energy Pro Cycling DS, Luke Roberts comments:

“As expected, it was a fast race but a pretty big bunch took on the final lap on the local circuit. As the bunch rocketed under the final kilometer kite, the road became narrow and gaps were made, which led to Mads’ loss of position and he never had a clear run to the finish line. Overall I’m happy about the effort but naturally disappointed about the result as our goal was the podium."

CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Mads Pedersen states:

"I broke my bike during the race close to the finish so I spent en entire lap bridging the gap to the front and when I finally made it back up to the tail of the peloton, the bunch exploded and I had to spent another lap bridging to the front group. It's not an excuse, it's just the way it was. I'm feeling strong and this really gives me an appetite for more so I'm looking forward to the races this weekend."