Petr Vakoc (Etixx-QuickStep) continued his amazing breakthrough season by claiming a solo win in the first of the hilly classics, Brabantse Pijl. The Czech was attentive to make it into a five-rider group that went clear on the penultimate climb with five kilometres to go and after Julian Alaphilippe had emptied himself for his teammate, he went solo on the Schavei climb inside the final kilometre, distancing Enrico Gasparotto (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) who had to settle for the minor spots on the podium.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Petr Vakoc: I think I can do the same kind of effort on the Cauberg on Sunday

A group of five took off on the penultimate climb of the day: Julian Alaphilippe, Petr Vakoč, Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal), Enrico Gasparotto (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and David Tanner (IAM Cycling). The peloton wasn't far behind, but despite the combined work of the chasing teams, the attackers couldn't be brought back, the main reason being that Alaphilippe gave it his all and did some amazing pulls at the front, up until the final 600 meters of the race.

 

That's were Petr Vakoč made his move and surged ahead, his strong attack leading immediately to a substantial gap, which was enough for the Etixx – Quick-Step rider to become the first Czech winner of the Belgian classic in more than half of a century. The podium was rounded out by Gasparotto and Gallopin, while Julian Alaphilippe, despite his big and impressive effort in the closing kilometers, still had enough resources to finish in 8th place.

 

At the press conference, Vakoc was keen to underline that this victory – number 22 for Etixx – Quick-Step in 2016 – came as a result of an excellent teamwork, which saw every rider bring his contribution throughout the day:

 

“It's really amazing! I am grateful to the team for its incredible work and for having faith in me. The guys supported me, rode for me and I am happy to repay them with this victory,” he said.

 

"Julian was very important in the final kilometers, where he did a fantastic job. He's a good friend of mine, as we know each other since the U23 years. We are roommates during races, and yesterday we talked of what we could do today, and now it's great to see how things have panned out."

 

One of the pre-race favourites, the 23-year-old played his cards patiently as the race developed at a fast pace in the last hour and scored his third victory of the season, following the ones he got in February, at Classic Sud-Ardèche and La Drôme Classic:

 

"In the last kilometers, I noticed that the others were fading, so I went full gas at the bottom of the climb, also because I wanted to get some seconds in hand and make sure the peloton will not come back. These steep climbs suit me well and I gave it all to make the gap.

 

“It's probably the biggest win of my career and I'm very content with this result, because I was targeting Brabantse since the start of the year. It's a beautiful victory, which comes after countless hours of training, but also as a result of the work I've done on my endurance, a key factor in this regard being last year's Giro d'Italia. Now I look toward Amstel Gold Race with even more confidence, because the form is there and my legs are strong."

 

"It was a really tough race. It was a fantastic day for me and I am very grateful to my teammates and also very happy to win. The team was absolutely incredible. They did a perfect job all day. When I got my mechanical problems at 50 kilometers from the finish, the race was on and it was difficult to come back. But the guys helped me while others went in all the breakaways. They allowed me to conserve as much energy as possible for the final climb. We were there with five riders, including Julian who did an amazing job. He brought me to the bottom and then I attacked. I'm really happy I could finish the work of the team. 

 

"This is the most beautiful victory in my career. It was an incredible day. What a victory. I now go with confidence to the Netherlands for the Amstel Gold Race.

 

"Of course I have to thank my whole team because they brought me ideally to the finale. Julian Alaphilippe was the man who kept the pace high. I only had to hold his wheel. I had planned to wait longer but as anyone what tied, I thought my time had come. The others approached for a while, but I could get more of an advantage by going into my next gear. In the final straight I gave everything and I knew I was going to win.

 

"It's just amazing. Since the beginning of the season I told the team I was aiming for this race. It's an event that I love. I had already done it twice in the past and it suits me very well. So I expected to be competitive today, but to take the victory is really like a dream come true. 

 

"I'd like to do Amstel, even if we have other guys who like that race. I am very confident about my condition. We'll see how the race unfolds and if we will ride for me or for others. We have many cards to play and we will certainly have many options. I hope to sprint in the same way I did today on the Cauberg, even after 250 kilometers. I worked a lot on my endurance. I did the Giro last year and I think it really helped me to gain strength. I love hard racing, even if 250 kilometers can be a bit long. I am convinced that with the condition that I have right now, I can make a similar effort on the Cauberg on Sunday.”

 

"I start at the Amstel Gold Race with ambition but the peloton will be qualitatively stronger. As for my condition, I have no reason to worry. But I also know that the Amstel Gold Race is difficult and, moreover, a few kilometers longer than the Brabantse Pijl. We have several cards that we can play: Bob Jungels, Julian Alaphilippe and myself.”

 

Etixx-QuickStep sports director after Vakoc's win: He can do everything 

"There are some differences with Stybar," explained sports director Rik Van Slycke toSporza. "Stybar was mature at his arrival and had more experience. He is also flexible on the bike and is technically better. Vakoc seems to be stiff, but now he discovers what it means to ride a finale.

 

"Vakoc was already good in the youth categories, but with the big boys finding your way is something else. He makes an incredible amount of progress. The diamond is cut step by step.

 

"He's not a sprinter, not a climber or time trialist, but he can win races in all areas, where nobody expects it.

 

"He can do anything, but he does not excel in any discipline. But if he can evolve, then he it can will all classics. I think we may say that our youth is not bad."

 

Second-placed Enrico Gasparotto: I really wanted to win this race for Demoitie

Wanty-Groupe Gobert lined up this Wednesday in Brabantse Pijl (1.HC) between Leuven and Overijse with Jérôme Baugnies, Gaëtan Bille, Dimitri Claeys, Enrico Gasparotto, Guillaume Martin, Marco Minnaard, Mark McNally and Frederik Veuchelen. The Belgian pro-continental team rode on attacking mode and was rewarded today with a second place for Enrico Gasparotto.

 

"I'm very happy with my result. It rewards the hard work I've done for two weeks in Tenerife in Spain away from my teammates. I knew I was good since the Tour of Catalonia and I proved it today", the Italian team captain said.

 

Straight from the beginning, a breakaway of four riders - without any rider of Wanty- Groupe Gobert took 5'30" lead on the peloton.

 

"It was not the aim to put a rider in the breakaway because I knew the race would be decided on the local laps", sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren explains.

On the first local lap, Marco Minnaard tried to reduce the gap with the head of the race. The peloton was back together because of the hard work of Orica-GreenEdge. Afterwards, there were many attacks on the peloton. 

At fifty kilometers before the finish, Enrico Gasparotto tested his legs for the first time.

 

"At that time, we had nobody in the break. We were in danger. I did not push 100% but I wanted to close the gap with the leading group," Enrico Gasparotto added.

On the last lap, on the Ijskelderlaan's climb, the team Lotto-Soudal took their responsability. Enrico Gasparotto followed the best riders. On the last climb, three riders were in the front to compete for the three places on the podium: Tony Gallopin, Petr Vakoč and Enrico Gasparotto.

Finally, Enrico Gasparotto couldn't follow Petr Vakoc's attack and got the second place, his best result of the year. It is the first podium for Wanty-Groupe Gobert on a UCI-race in Belgium.

 

"I thought Tony Gallopin was the strongest, but ultimately Petr Vakoč was too strong today. It was the best result possible today, but I'm still disappointed not to win for Antoine Demoitié", Enrico Gasparotto concludes. 

 

"I am very disappointed because I wanted to get the win for Antoine. The emotion is always present in the team. It's hard to forget. We are still in shock and it's hard to put it aside to refocus on the race.

 

"We're dealing with really tough moments at Wanty-Groupe Gobert. There is an angel with us. It is not always easy to focus on the races. We always think of Antoine.

 

“It was a very difficult day. Different from a great classic, it was very fast from afar. You always had to be alert on the circuit, and it cost a lot of strength. However, my team helped me. I took the wheel of Tony (Gallopin) because I thought he would be the strongest. But ultimately it was Vakoc. When he got 10 meters, I tried to follow, but he was too far ahead. The stronger won in the end and this second place was the best I could do.

 

"I am happy with the result of the day. It makes me confident for the Amstel Gold Race.

 

“I know Petr Vakoč, but bet on the wrong horse. Gallopin failed to close the gap between me  and Vakoc and I couldn’t do it either. I am satisfied with my current condition and can confidently look to the Ardennes Classics.”

 

Tony Gallopin: I had not recovered from Pais Vasco

While entering the local laps, the pace was raised again in the peloton due to the efforts of Lotto Soudal. At about 70 kilometres from the finish five riders attacked, Sean De Bie was one of them. A few kilometres later Tosh Van der Sande bridged to the front of the race together with several other riders. A front group of nine riders was formed.

 

In the meantime, all efforts in the peloton were countered by Jelle Vanendert, Tim Wellens, Sander Armée and Tony Gallopin. At 32 kilometres from the finish the front group with De Bie and Van der Sande was caught so everything came back together. After that Tim Wellens attacked with 28 kilometres to go, Julian Alaphilippe joined him. The two young riders were back in the pack at eleven kilometres from the end.

 

At four kilometres from the finish Tony Gallopin attacked and four other riders followed him. Gallopin finished in third place. Lotto Soudal rode a very aggressive race and was attentively at the front of the peloton during the race. All these efforts resulted in the podium place of Tony Gallopin.

 

“At this moment I’m disappointed because I really tried to obtain the victory,” Gallopin said. “In the final kilometre I couldn’t close the gap on Vakoc. The team did a fantastic job today. Four riders were part of an early break and after that we controlled the gap at the front of the peloton together with Orica-GreenEdge. Thomas De Gendt did a great effort. At 80 kilometres from the finish we started to attack. Sean and Tosh were part of a front group together with riders of Etixx – Quick-Step, BMC and Orica. That was a very good situation for us. But the other teams eventually succeeded in closing the gap. Our team was still well represented at the front of the peloton.

 

“After that Tim attacked together with Alaphilippe and again that was an ideal situation. Unfortunately for them they couldn’t remain ahead. On the penultimate climb of the day I decided to attack because I didn’t want to wait for a sprint. With five riders we managed to obtain a significant gap, Alaphilippe gave his all for Vakoc. In the final kilometre I was unable to follow Vakoc because of my effort on the penultimate climb.

 

“I didn’t feel superb today due to a hard Tour of the Basque Country. But I won’t use that as an excuse, Vakoc was simply the strongest and he deserved to win this race.”

 

"In the finale, I paid the bill for the forces that I lost before. At four kilometers from the end, I made an attack and I still had lactic acid in the final kilometer. I had not recovered sufficiently for the final climb. I'm a little disappointed, but not with the performance that the team delivered. In the last 80 kilometers we were with each break and we determined the how the race panned out. We did our best, but at the finish it was not enough.

 

"Really, I always meet someone who is stronger than me at the Brabantse Pijl. This year I did not want to wait for the sprint, that's why I attacked on the penultimate climb. What is reassuring is that the legs did well in the final third if the feeling of disappointment remains. I believe that  the efforts of the Tour of the Basque Country were still felt. With the rain and cold, I was sick in Spain and I still lack a bit of freshness. 

 

“I pushed the pace at the end to see what could happen on the climbs because they are similar to the Amstel Gold Race. When Vakoc (Etixx-Quick Step) went 750 meters from the line, I had not recovered sufficiently from my previous efforts. He took meter after meter and was clearly the strongest today. I'll have a few days off before tackling the next three classics (Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège) which will not be too much.”

 

Tim Wellens: This race gives me lots of confidence for the Ardennes.

Tim Wellens was on the attack in the finale.

 

“I’m really pleased with my feeling after the race,” he said. “Last year I didn’t participate in the Brabantse Pijl and I rode very intensively in the Tour of the Basque Country. This year I prepared myself more steadily towards the Ardennes Classics. The main goal was to obtain race rhythm so I would be in top form at the right moment. Today’s race was a perfect preparation with the following races in mind.

 

“When I attacked I hoped that more riders would join us. I chose to attack because I’m not fast enough in the sprint. The most important thing is that the team rode a very strong race. I really look forward to the coming races, I think we can hope for the best.

 

"I had  very good legs, but my attack was maybe a lap too early and we were too few. We made ​​the race hard with the team, because we did not want to get to the finish with Matthews. I go with a good feeling to the next races.”

 

Isolated Matthews comes up short in Brabantse Pijl

Michael Matthews has finished in fifth place for ORICA-GreenEDGE at De Brabantse Pijl in Belgium today sprinting from the chasing bunch as the race split apart on the final two climbs of the day.

 

The first race of the Ardennes classics was won by Petr Vakoc (Etixx-Quickstep) after a series of strong attacks in the closing kilometres.

 

ORICA-GreenEDGE had worked tirelessly at the front of the peloton for most of the day first with Paris-Roubaix winner Mathew Hayman and then new signingCheung King Lok and Australian neo-pro Jack Haig. However in the finale Matthews was alone and trying to come from behind on the climb to the finish he could not quite make contact with the leaders.

 

Sport director Laurenzo Lapage was satisfied with the team’s performance.

 

“It was a tough day out there today,” said Lapage. “We had been spoken about as the favourites before the race and that meant that all the other teams were watching and attacking us so we had to work from the beginning to stay in contention.

 

“We had to use a lot of our riders to bring the race back together, we did a good job but it meant that Michael (Matthews) ended up alone in the finale.

 

“He did a great to finish in the top ten, he was trying to gain control in the final kilometres but it’s a very hard course, especially with the two climbs right at the end.”

 

“Michael is in great shape at the moment,” continued Lapage. “This is good news for the team as we go into an important period of racing with the Ardennes Classics.”

 

Sonny Colbrelli with no regrets after near-miss at Brabantse Pijl

Bardiani-CSF started started the second part of its Northern campaign with an encouraging result and a positive performance. At De Brabantse Pijl, the #GreenTeam leader Sonny Colbrelli took sixth place after a bold performance from the whole team who showed a solid approach in race management.

 

“I’m pretty happy with what we did today. We worked well and my teammates did a great job supporting me. Sixth place in an important race like this makes me satisfied” said Colbrelli. “Until 5km from the finishm the situation was under control. I was always in the first positions, thanks also to the support of Ciccone. Then continuous attacks made the race situation really hectic. Vakoc, Gasparotto and Gallopin attacked when the front group was in a long line, someone lost their wheels and then it was almost impossible to close the gap. I tried to move up on the final climb, then again in the sprint but Coquard and Matthews came back. Honestly, I did my best and I have no regrets.”

 

Bardiani-CSF will continue its campaign tomorrow atthe Grand Prix de Denain while on Sunday it will be at the start of Amstel Gold Race.

 

Pieter Weening ready for Amstel after strong attack at Brabantse Pijl

With a bold attack by Pieter Weening and top 15 results for Maurits Lammertink and Huub Duijn, Roompot - Orange Peloton played a significant role.

 

After the early break had been caught, Berden de Vries was the first rider from the selection of team leader Erik Breukink to show himself. He went on the counter-attack, but failed to get back to the leaders.

 

After an unfortunate crash by Michel Kreder who slid out in the S-bend of the descent around the church of Overijse, Pieter Weening attacked ten kilometers from the finish line.

 

"In the flat section, I hoped to get someone for company, but unfortunately I had to do it alone," said Weening. "With the headwind, it was difficult to remain ahead of such a select group of strong men." The attempt ended five kilometers from the finish.

 

"I do not know what my rivals planned. I had hoped that one or two others would follow, but it did not happen. If it had been a tailwind, it might have been a different story. Ah, sometimes you just have to try, sometimes, sometimes not. "

 

"I knew I was good. But the Amstel is a one-day race and so the shape of the day comes into play. In multi-day races, you can sometimes hide but in a one-day race you have to be super. I cannot say I was super today, but sometimes it's good to feel your legs a bit. Often it makes you ride harder."

 

"I am not the absolute leader for Amstel, I'm not the type of rider, but everyone should always go for his chances in our team. I'm just going to do my best. In the Gold Race I am perhaps more likely to get a result than today. Then people have to respond. "

 

Unfortunately Maurits Lammertink and Huub Duijn could just not go with an attack of five riders on the penultimate climb. In the sprint, Lammertink did well with a 7th place as a result. 

 

"Yet again I do one better than last year", said the best Dutchman. "It is too bad I could not join those three in front, but I'm happy with my form. This is the time when I want to be good, especially with the Amstel Gold Race coming up.” 

 

Huub Duijn also did well with a 13th place. Weening was 48th and De Vries, Antwan Tolhoek and Johnny Hoogerland finished in the first big peloton.  

 

Tom-Jelte Slagter pleasedwith condition for Amstel Gold Race

Toms Skujins raced Brabantse Pijl today ahead of his first run at the Ardennes Classics. He was part of a strong Cannondale team who played an integral role in the race's finale before Tom-Jelte Slagter sprinted in for ninth place.

 

Skujins says: "We definitely could have gone better at Brabantse, but we showed we're not scared of anyone and raced aggressively. That's the same mentality we'll take to the next three big ones and definitely we'll put on a good show. Hopefully lady luck is keeping an eye on us and helps us out when we need it, because without her smiling at you one days can turn into a nightmare."

 

“First time for me doing #brabantsepijl Enjoyed the race and happy with the condition. Now getting ready for @AmstelGold,” Slagter tweeted.

 

Loic Vliegen confirms talent with solid 10th place at Brabantse Pijl

Loïc Vliegen put in a solid race at De Brabantse Pijl to finish in tenth place, a brilliant result in his first year with BMC Racing Team.

 

Vliegen and Dylan Teuns both made their way into a mid-race breakaway before being reeled in with 30 kilometers to go, setting the stage for attack after attack.

 

 “I’m happy with the race,” he said. “It was my first time racing in one of the Ardennes Classics and it was a hard race. With 50 or 60 kilometers to go I had to attack early but it was also to save the team because if Dylan and I didn’t attack, maybe we would have had to chase. I used a lot of energy but I think it was a good move to be in.

 

“In the end tenth place is a good result for me. I’m happy with my form for the next races. Now we have Amstel Gold and Liège-Bastogne- Liège which are both WorldTour races and are 250 kilometers which I’ve never done. I’m looking forward to seeing how I go.”

 

Fabio Baldato, Sports Director, said:

 

“We went into the race without a clear leader so the guys did a good job. Loïc and Dylan did a great effort on the front but we had some bad luck as Silvan Dillier had a flat at a crucial moment of the race and he had to use a fair bit of energy to come back which put the others in trouble a bit too. Silvan would have been in a good position to go for a good result I think.

 

“Alessandro De Marchi attacked in the final and then Loïc positioned himself well in the front group going into the last kilometer. A top ten finish for him is a really nice result, especially as he did a lot of the work at the front of the race too. I think we raced pretty aggressively so I’m happy. The guys were really motivated and I think we can have some good results going into the next Ardennes Classics.”

 

Strong Paul Voss very close to making race-winning move at Brabantse Pijl

BORA – ARGON 18 was part of the breakaway with Emanuel Buchmann. When BMC attacked from the peloton, the race situation changed again because the leading group split up. Buchmann was now in the 2nd group of 3 riders, with 6 riders at the front of the race, but after a hard fight the second group could chase down the leaders again. 35k from the finish, Emanuel Buchmann was not able to stay with the fresher riders in the leading group. He had to pay the bill for his early efforts and lost contact with the leaders.

 

Paul Voss, who also attacked once in the final, finished in the first group in 17th place at 0:20.

 

“I am not 100% happy today. My legs did not feel really good, but I decided to give it a go on one of the last climbs. Maybe I did a little mistake there by pulling too long on the front because when the counter attack was made I could not follow. Also on the last climb I just missed out on Matthews wheel, so not the best day for me. But I think there is also a quite positive aspect when you don’t feel that good but can still finish in the first group,” Voss said.

 

Tom Dumoulin: I am satisfied with my current shape

The plan for Giant-Alpecin was to support Tom Dumoulin and to see to what extent he could go for a result. With 30km to go, the riders were all back together and Tom Dumoulin with Sam Oomen were making themselves visible at the front of the peloton preparing themselves for the finale. On the last lap with 5km to go, five riders jumped away from the bunch and their managed to distance themselves. At first, Dumoulin tried to follow but the last climb proved one too many for him.

 

Tom Dumoulin finished just behind the leading group in 23rd place.

 

Tom Dumoulin said: “Overall the race went well and I am satisfied with my shape at the moment. I attacked a few times in the finale to speed up the bunch and in the end, I can be quite pleased with the outcome of the race. I think participating in this race will be very beneficial for the upcoming period.

 

"I had to be here today. I was good, but not super. I tried a few times at the wrong times. I saw Pieter Weening go and saw that he was good. I jumped, but unfortunately we could not get away.

 

"If I have good legs, I will try to be there at Amstel. I have a few days to work out, but you can’t order good legs.”

 

Coach Arthur van Dongen gave his thoughts after the race: “The race went as we expected we tried to get in the main breakaway of the day but we missed it. The aim was to support Tom in the finale and Sam did a great job in positioning before the penultimate climb. I think we can be pleased with the race and it looks good for the upcoming races.”

 

Bad luck for Dimension Data captain at Brabantse Pijl

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka had a rather quiet day, keeping the focus on the upcoming Ardennes classics. Inside the final 30km, the African team was still in the mix with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, and Natnael Berhane.

 

Unfortunately, the team's Italian fastman and pre-race captain Kristian Sbaragli had crashed a couple of kilometers earlier. He got up quickly but needed mechanical assistance. He wasn't able to get back to the front of the race.

 

Reinardt Janse van Rensburg was the team’s best placed finisher today, coming home with the peloton 20 seconds behind the race winner.

 

He said:

 

“It was a super hard race today, each climb on the final circuit was full gas. Unfortunately, we lost Kristian due to a mechanical, so I had to step it up. This was quite difficult coming off racing all the Flemish cobbled classics and Roubaix. I felt strong but missed some freshness in the end.”

 

No luck for ONE at Brabantse Pijl

With no representation in the break, ONE Pro Cycling took the opportunity to organise themselves and ride as a unit while the peloton sat up and let the leaders increase their advantage to a maximum of 5 minutes 30 seconds.

 

Things remained steady until kilometre 126 when Martin Mortensen launched a gutsy solo attack on the peloton in a bid to join the leaders. As individuals from BMC, Lotto Soudal, Orica Greenedge and Ettix took their chance and surged off the front of the group to join Mortensen, the additional manpower saw the small chase group gain 30 seconds on the peloton and take 14 seconds off the leaders.

 

The lead group not wanting to be caught increased their tempo which resulted in a few riders being spat off the back. Less than 10km later, the chase group including Mortensen caught the leaders creating a strong breakaway group. With the peloton breathing down their necks, the pace of the breakaway group continued to increase splitting the group in half with Mortensen finding himself in the second group. However a resilient Mortensen managed to claw himself back to the front of the race.

 

Reaching 155km, 9 leaders were slowly reeled in by the peloton as the punchy finishing circuit was really beginning to take its toll. A lot of riders found the pace too much and the peloton found themselves only 40 strong as it headed into the closing stages.

 

Plenty of riders fancied their chances and created breakaways that came to no avail. Dion Smith held position well in the group until the penultimate climb with 6km remaining where he was caught in the second half of the group.

 

Petr Vakoc of Etixx Quickstep surged away in the closing stages to take the victory whilst Dion Smith finished a respectable 27th position having battled hard to regain position.

 

Bad luck for Wegmann and Pedersen at Brabantse Pijl

Team Stölting Service Group suffered bad luck in the final of today’s Brabantse Pijl – Flèche Brabançonne (1.HC) and therefore couldn’t fight for a top result. Christian Mager started the final with an attack, but didn’t finish the race. Fabian Wegmann was the team’s best-placed rider; after suffering a puncture he finished 52nd.

 

Attacks from the peloton started on the final circuit. Christian Mager was one of the first to jump away and started chasing down the break, catching up with them just after the first passage of the finish line with 70 km to go. This new front group was 42 seconds ahead, but Mager couldn’t follow the pace and dropped back again.

 

Fabian Wegmann, Gerald Ciolek and Alex Kirsch were placed well in the front part of the field with 30km to go; Mads Pedersen, however, had been caught up in a crash and couldn’t come back to the front.

 

With less than 15km to go, Wegmann dropped out of contention when he suffered a puncture. After his puncture, he finished in 52nd position.

 

Sports Director Jochen Hahn said: “Both our riders for the final had bad luck today. Mads was held back by a crash in the penultimate lap, then Fabian had a mechanical with 15 km to go. That’s how it goes sometimes; hopefully we’ll have better luck next time.”

 

Novo Nordisk fight hard at difficult Brabantse Pijl

Wednesday served as Team Novo Nordisk’s 2016 Belgian debut as the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team tackled the 56th edition of Brabantse Pijl.

 

“This year was definitely harder than last year. It felt faster and more chaotic all day,” Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano said. “I pushed myself over all the climbs. I stayed in the front group until the final 10 kilometers but with all the attacks, a gap formed and I wasn’t able to bridge back up. I gave it my all and rode the best I could today.”