Kenneth Van Rooy made a remarkable début as trainee in the Lotto Soudal team. The 21-year-old rider, part of the U23 team of Lotto Soudal, finished seventh in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic. In the finale he got in a front group of eight with Ben Swift and Sep Vanmarcke. The group fell apart in the last kilometres. Jempy Drucker won the sprint for the victory. Not even half a minute later, Van Rooy crossed the finish line. Dries Van Gestel, the second trainee in the selection, delivered a strong performance as well; he was thirteenth.

“We didn’t have a rider of our team in the early breakaway of five, but that wasn’t a problem," Van Rooy said. "The race stayed closed till the ascent of Box Hill, more than fifty kilometres before the finish. Jens Debusschere got in front there, but afterwards all came back together. A bit later I took off with two riders and five others joined us. In the end I was dropped together with Fernando Gaviria.

“In the beginning I didn’t go full gas, because I didn’t know what was happening in the background. When the sports director came next to me he informed me about the situation and I did my part of the work. I tried to follow as long as I could. I amazed myself. It’s such a difference from a U23 race. It’s nice to deliver this performance. The riders in the team welcomed me and Dries Van Gestel with a lot of enthusiasm. They reassured us. I want to get lots of experience during this traineeship and enjoy the opportunity the team gives me.”