Jens Debusschere had to wait a long time before getting the chance to ride his first race in the Belgian champion's jersey but it was definitely worth waiting for his chance to make his debut. Today he won the first stage of the Tour de Wallonie, his very first outing in the prestigious Drikleur.

The first race as Belgian champion and Jens Debusschere won it! The Lotto Belisol rider was the fastest in the opening stage of the Tour de Wallonie. He beat Gianni Meersman and Juan José Lobato. Debusschere is also the first leader and is first in the points classification.
 
The first stage from Frasnes-lez-Anvaing to Tournai consisted of two big laps with three climbs: Col de la Croix Jubaru, Mont de l’Enclus and Côte des Monts Alban. That last one was located at just over twenty kilometers from the finish. Three riders made up the break of the day: Julien Stassen, Zico Waeytens and Thomas Wertz. They were caught before the last climb, after Lotto Belisol had controlled the bunch. Jens Debusschere was the fastest and successfully rounded off the teamwork.
 
“It’s unbelievable, I just started to realize I had won the Belgian championship and now I immediately win my first race in this jersey. I’m very happy I could confirm," he said. "It was already very special to train with the jersey, so that was definitely the case to ride in the peloton with it. You get recognized everywhere. That’s really nice.
 
“We were the first team that started the chase and took control of the race. We didn’t get much support. I’m satisfied I could successfully round off the work of the team. The guys really did their best.

"Just before the final kilometer Kris Boeckmans went to the front. Afterwards there was a sharp corner, so it was important to be well positioned. The train of Trek got in the wheel of Kris and I set myself in the wheel of Giacomo Nizzolo. That way I was in fifth position at the last corner, that was perfect. Omega Pharma – Quick-Step then was faster than Trek, so I jumped in the wheel of Gianni Meersman and could pass him.

"We’ll see if there will be another bunch sprint tomorrow, with five hills in the last 75 kilometers. It will be difficult to control the race with one team.”