Despite now riding at the continental level, Gorik Gardeyn (Veranclassic) proved that he can still mix it up with the pros when he took the sprints jersey after stage one of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen.

"Yesterday I was the unlucky (he had to change bikes during the prologue, ed.)," he told Directvelo. "There are good and bad days and days. We wanted to put a rider in the front and I was lucky to get involved. Ultimately, it was on the Oude Kwaremont that I took the jersey. Usually, this is not my cup of tea, but I passed first due to my experience. This is a great publicity for our team who can also count on a sprinter like Justin Jules. Now the goal is to keep the jersey."

Another continental rider, Xandro Meurisse (An Post Chainreaction), regretted that he missed the chance to sprint for the win.

"I tried to slip into the break of the day, several times but it did not work," he told Directvelo. "The more you try, the more likely you are to succeed. In the local laps, I also tried again. Pieter Vanspeybroeck jumped onto my wheel and it was at this time that Yves Lampaert attacked. I had to make an effort and so I was not able to follow him. It's a shame because eventually this group made it to the finish. So I am left with regrets. In the sprint I did not know what to do. Tomorrow, the course is hillier, I will again take my chance. Both I and the rest of the team want to show ourselves in this race."