Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal) confirmed that he is a man to watch in the cobbles in the future when he opened his account on the rough surface by winning the opening race of the holy period of Belgian cycling, Dwars door Vlaanderen. The Belgian came out on top in a reduced bunch sprint by holding off Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) in a photo finish after a dramatic final chase had neutralized a big attack from Greg Van Avermaet less than 500m from the line. Edward Theuns (Trek) finished third to make it to the podium for the second year in a row.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Jens Debusschere: On a day like today, euphoria is not appropriate

“Of course I am happy with this victory,” Jens Debusschere said. “It was a race I had been looking forward to. Because of what happened yesterday in Brussels it wasn’t sure if the race would take place. It was strange yesterday and this morning: should we give in and cancel the race or do we race with respect for the victims and with attention for the safety? The atmosphere at the start in Roeselare was very serene.

 

“It was the plan that Tiesj Benoot and Jelle Wallays would ride an aggressive race. I was the card to play if the race would end with a sprint. And it was a sprint, although the attempt of Greg Van Avermaet was really strong. For a long time we didn’t think he would get caught but Trek kept chasing him until the last straight line. In the last turn I was too far behind, I wasn’t part of the first ten riders. In the last straight line I could move up and I aimed for a podium place; in the end I won.

 

“I’m very pleased that I’ve won. Being deeply satisfied isn’t possible on a day like today. It was a hectic sprint. Until the final kilometre I thought Gregwould stay ahead. My teammates did a fantastic job to bring him back but then I lacked somebody who kept me in front. I was very far in the final corner. I was no longer thinking about the victory but trying to get as close as possible to the podium. The headwind slowed everybody down. In the end I managed to pass everybody, making it a very good sprint. That was a great sensation.

 

"We had used our men to catch Greg and I was so alone. The intention was to follow Trek as Theuns had looked strong but in the sprint I was way too far behind. But I knew it was a headwind and so I still jumped forward. Only in the last 10-15 meters, I could put pass Cocquard.

 

“Everyone in the team did a good job today. In the finale we were with four in the first group: Jelle Wallays, Pim Ligthart, Tiesj Benoot and I. We had a strong team today with also Lars Bak, Sean De Bie, Jasper De Buyst and Marcel Sieberg who did their part of the work.

 

“I think all Belgians and far beyond were deeply shocked by what happened yesterday. Euphoria wasn’t appropriate, out of respect for the casualties and because it was a sad day for Belgium. Hopefully the people who’re staying home enjoyed watching the race and hopefully agreed that the race was held. Last night and this morning you’re not thinking about racing.

 

"There’s much more important than cycling. I wouldn’t have had any issues with it if the race wouldn’t be contested. Then again, everybody here worked very hard to be good in these races. I think we’ve got to pick up our normal lives as soon as possible. That’s why I’m happy that we started the race and showed that we’re not planning to hide away. Hopefully that’ll be the same for other activities, like football.”

 

“After Strade Bianche I was afraid that I could forget about my ambitions for the Spring Classics because of the rib injury I incurred. But I could finish Tirreno and helped out Jürgen Roelandts at Milan-Sanremo. And today I win. This is yet again a next step in my career. It’s even nicer that I win in my home region.

 

 “My win at Nationals was a much less hard race but the price that comes along with it was much nicer. Winning is a big difference. Two years in a row I finished in the top-10 in this race while receiving the confidence from the team.

 

“In the Tirreno I was in trouble, struggling with back pain after my crash at the Strade Bianche. I thought that all the hard work from the winter was done for nothing. Milan-San Remo turned out to be a good test which I passed very well. The confidence returned, especially after today. I worked very hard this winter to be good from Tirreno until... well, as long as possible. I’m good and the timing is right so I’m satisfied.

 

"Ghent-Wevelgem was the race I targeted the most, also because I’ve been good there a couple of times. It’s a course where I trained in the past in the youth category, at the Kemmelberg. It’s the race I rate the highest.

 

“It’ll stay the same. We’re functioning very well right now. We’ve got a strong Tiesj and a very good Jürgen [Roelandts] who’s coming up. Those two remain team leaders in the big races that are coming up. I’ll see where I can end up.

 

"I still suffer from Milan-Sanremo. But I've been working so hard for this week and now I'm sure I have no more trouble. I look forward to Sunday and Gent-Wevelgem. "

 

Bryan Coquard gracious in defeat: Today it was fitting that a Belgian won

“Gaviria went for a very long sprint and he faded a bit, and then I launched my sprint with 150 metres to go. I saw Theuns to my right and I saw myself winning the race,” Bryan Coquard told Cyclingnews and Het Neuwsblad afterwards. “I flung my bike forward, and I was ready to raise my arms, but then at the last minute I saw Debusschere come by.

 

”I was in shock. I have learned something for next time or until the next finish. This is obviously a big disappointment, but on Sunday there's another chance. I'll sign for the same scenario, and I hope to take revenge.

 

“Adrien [Petit] got back on over the top of the Nokere so I had another card to play in the sprint. He guided me very well through the finale. I followed his wheel and at the corner with 300 metres to go, he left me beside Gaviria. When he started his sprint, I jumped on his wheel.

 

“I’ll see what I can do at E3 against the grand champions, the grand puncheurs. Maybe I’ll miss a bit of freshness in Gent-Wevelgem by doing E3 but I’d prefer to be at the race than at home. I’ve missed the race atmosphere the last few weeks. I’m very motivated for these Flemish races and I want to enjoy them.”

 

“It was a special day. In France we’ve unfortunately had attacks like this, so we know the terror that acts like this can provoke.

 

“Personally, I think it was a good thing because it shows the terrorists that we’re going to keep living, that life goes on in Belgium. The Classics in Belgium are the national pastime, they’re almost a religion.

 

“It’s a difficult time, of course, but the people could still come and spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the race, and they can do that for E3 and Gent-Wevelgem too. So I think it was a very good and wise decision to race.

 

“I thought I was going to win today but in the end it was a Belgian who did. And that was probably fitting. It is a beautiful homage to the victims. I thought it was good that we raced today. We were able to give the audience a little distraction and it is also an important signal that we will not bow to terror.”

 

Edward Theuns: I would love to give up all my podiums for a win

It was a motivated and active Trek-Segafredo team in Dwars door Vlaanderen Wednesday. Between Giacomo Nizzolo covering the late breakaways and Jasper Stuyven closing the final gap to an attacking Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and providing the final lead out for Edward Theuns, Trek-Segafredo had its eye on the win.

 

It was textbook teamwork, but the party was spoiled by a headwind in the final meters as Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal) and Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) overtook Theuns, who settled for third. After all his work and with extremely tired legs, Nizzolo held on for sixth place.

 

"Van Avermaet stayed away longer than I expected, he was strong, and we only got him in the last 500 meters," Theuns explained about the exciting finish. "Jasper really made a perfect lead out; he put me in a perfect position into the last corner.

 

"Gaviria launched his sprint, and I followed and was going over him, so I thought I was able to win since Gaviria is really fast, but it was a headwind. The others came a little bit from the back and, in the end, I was third. This is a race that suits me, but honestly, I would love to give up all my podium spots for the win.

 

"I came here to win. If you're so close, it's a shame when you do not win.

 

“The peloton was put under considerable pressure by Greg Van Avermaet, who was almost taking a solo victory. Van Avermaet rode very strong, but I was convinced that we were catching him. Jasper led me out perfectly in the sprint.

 

“Since Paris-Nice I feel very good and after my second place last year, I knew this race was excellent for me. I will skip E3 Harelbeke and then I will go for a victory in Gent-Wevelgem. In the great classics that follow, Fabian Cancellara is our leader. I hope to assist him as much as possible. "

 

The race started its crescendo with just over 52 kilometers remaining as Edward Theuns punched up the Taaienberg, initiating the action that did not let up until the line.

 

"I tried to split things on the Taaienberg because going first up there is always the best," continued Theuns. "After that a group went with Giaco in it, which was perfect for us, and Jasper and I could just follow in the group behind.

 

"After all the climbs we were hoping that it would come back together, and it did. Then when Van Avermaet went there was still enough people willing to chase, and Jasper helped keep the pressure on, too."

 

An attentive Nizzolo followed the dangerous move after the Taaienberg, then covered numerous attacks from his group until the two groups rejoined 10 kilometers from the end.

 

"The feeling today was good, especially compared to the last weeks when I was sick; looks like my virus is gone," said Nizzolo. "I tried always to be in the front group so it would be easier on the guys behind. After all that, I did not have legs left for the sprint, and we tried to make a good lead out for Edward. To be in the breakaway and make a race like this will for sure make me stronger for the next races."

 

Stuyven grabbed the reins in the last kilometer and helped keep Van Avermaet within spitting distance, and then came to the front to close the gap as he led out Theuns through the last corner.

 

"We decided in the morning that Edward would do the sprint if it came to a sprint," said Stuyven. "I felt good, but I put a lot of effort to make the race hard and trying to get away. I also tried to keep the pace of the group going in chasing Greg, so it was all for Edward in the sprint.

 

"I told Edward to stay on my wheel, and I think we came in the right moment to the front. Only then did I notice it was headwind. I think Edward did a good sprint to make the podium. Of course, a win is always better, but I think we can be really happy about the performance of the team today."

 

Jens Keukeleire finishes off great Orica-GreenEDGE performance with fifth place

Jens Keukeleire finished in fifth place in the sprint today after some excellent work from Luke Durbridge at the front of the race in the last 80 kilometres.

 

Orica-GreenEDGE put in a solid performance in Dwars door Vlaanderen today, giving the team confidence going into a full period of one-day races in Belgium and Northern France.

 

Sports director Laurenzo Lapage was happy with the result and the overall performance of the team.

 

“Everything went really well for us today,” said Lapage. “ Svein (Tuft) did a lot of good work in the early part of the race to control the breakaway and then Luke (Durbridge) was fantastic in the second half.”

 

“We kept ourselves in good positions throughout the race and we stuck to our plan almost perfectly. After Luke did so well in making the second group it was great to see Jens (Keukeleire) also fight his way into the leaders group in time for the finish,” continued Lapage.

 

“Jens executed a fantastic sprint and was close to making it onto the podium. I am really pleased. Today’s performance sets us up nicely for the races coming at the weekend.”

 

Oscar Gatto after seventh place in Waregem: Now I am ready to support Sagan

A valiant display of attacking racing from 2013 winner Oscar Gatto eventually ended up with the Italian taking seventh place from a select group at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Gatto was at the front of the race in the finale when it mattered, but paid for his earlier efforts in the final push for the line, missing out on repeating his 2013 victory.

 

“Oscar did a very good race today, obviously we came for the win but we can take the positives out of the performance – we were there when we needed to be, and he’s looking strong to support Peter Sagan in the upcoming races,” confirmed Sport Director Tristan Hoffman. “The strategy was to look after Oscar early on and to pack him in so to speak for the first 110km, then it was about positioning with all the obstacles that came from there on. Oscar got it right. We’re happy with the overall outcome of today and the team’s performance.”

 

The race got underway following a minute’s silence for those affected by the sad events of the previous day in Brussels. Once rolling, the action soon got underway with a flurry of early attacks leading to a group of six riders forming at the front of the race, setting the tempo for the day. These leaders built a lead of up to seven minutes before their advantage started to fall, under pressure from a controlling peloton behind.

The riders had a tough parcours ahead of them with no less than 12 ‘Hellingen’ to tackle, including climbs such as the Valkenberg, Paterberg and the Kwaremont on the agenda.

 

In a race like today, the decisive moments can come almost anywhere, and it was with 50km to race that the first main development came as a small front group prised itself clear of the peloton over the Taaienberg, including Gatto.

 

Talking after the finish, Gatto said:

 

"Overall I'm satisfied by the work we did today. At the dangerous, key sections of the race I was at the front where I needed to be and stayed out of trouble, always making the lead group. I felt in good form and had the power, but in the final sprint I wasn't too well positioned and the result was the best I could achieve from the situation.

 

"More importantly now, although the victory was the main goal today, another very important goal was to be in good form ahead of Friday and Sunday in order to support Peter Sagan in the best way possible. I'm happy that I'm where I want to be and feel that I will be able to perform at my best at these coming races to support Peter in fighting for the win."

 

Hoffman continued, “We had some guys in the big group behind, but up front Oscar had to do it by himself. When he passed the Paterberg he made it look easy and on the day’s difficulties he put in a strong performance. The plan was to be at the front from that climb onwards and he was there. He’s motivated, and into the coming classics he’s ready and riding strongly. In the end we got the maximum out of the situation I think, and if he had more legs he would be in a better position for the sprint, but he’d already done a lot.”

 

“Unfortunately, Jay McCarthy crashed in the feedzone. He has some pain in his hips and went for x-rays but nothing was broken so he’ll undergo a few more tests before any further decisions are made.”

 

With just one rider left from the early breakaway all eyes were on the selection in hot pursuit. This front group soon split again, after which Gatto showed strong legs pulling a small group clear over the Paterberg. His reduced group soon made its way to the front of the race, but the chase was never far behind and with 10km to go these two groups came together, forming a front group of around 35 riders.

 

On the final climb of the day, the Nokereberg, BMC’s Greg van Avermaet made his move and quickly pulled out a gap, but he was never allowed out of sight. As the finish beckoned, his lead dwindled and it was in the final 250m that his chances were over, with the group sprinting past to fight out the honours.

 

Oscar Gatto rode strongly to finish within the top ten after a hard day in the saddle, and can rest assured that he did his best to force the racing ahead of the big cobblestone classics that loom in the coming weeks, with E3 Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem still to come this week.

 

Hoffman finished off by saying: “The guys did a good job today. Nikolay Trusov proved he’s riding well, and Pavel Brutt had a good first race back after injury, so both he and we were quite satisfied. Juraj Sagan also did a good job today in helping Oscar and making the second group and with the others can take confidence from today.”

 

Scott Thwaites confirms classics potential with another top 10 in Belgium

Also as usual an early breakaway could go clear from the peloton. It was a group of six riders, including Phil Bauhaus from Bora-Argon 18. The group built a lead of up to 7 minutes, but when the famous Belgian climbs started in the second part of the course, the gap came down fast. At this stage of the race, several attacks in the peloton formed a strong chasing group, within this group was again Scott Thwaites, who has a fabulous Classics season so far.

 

After the Kwaremont and Paterberg, everything was regrouped with one leader left in the front and a chasing group with the two Bora riders. Thwaites was able to stay in control and with 15k to go he was in the leading group of 7 riders. 5 kilometres later the second group – still with Phil Bauhaus - joined the first group to lead the race into a sprint finish of a group of about 30 riders. In the end Jens Debusschere took the win, with Scott Thwaites crossing the line in 8th place. With another for Bora-Argon 18 riders in the second group at 0:38, the team had a very strong performance today.

 

“Today from the beginning of the race we always were able to have the upper hand in the race. Our tactics worked out well and especially at the point when we had Phil in the leading group and Scott in the chasing group, we were in a very strong position. The problem was that there was always missing one of the big teams, therefore the pace of the peloton always was very high. In the end Phil could not really help Scott in the sprint finish, but he did a great ride to even be there after his long breakaway. A top ten result is good, but I really think there will be more to come for Scoot soon,” sports director Steffen Radochla said.

 

“Today has been my first breakaway as a pro. As a sprinter you normally wait until the end of the race, but today I felt really good and I want to develop as a rider, so I thought: try to give it a go. When we were caught I could hang onto the first bigger group, therefore I was with Scott in the final. But I was really at the end of my strengths and could not help a lot,” Phil Bauhaus said.

 

“I felt a bit blocked for the first half of the race due to the travel problems we had yesterday, but my legs came good when the climbs started. I made the split on the Taaienberg, but some riders did not work because they had sprinters in the chase group. I tried to push to keep the break away, but in the end it was a bigger group in the finish so I was happy to get another top ten result after working hard all day,” Scott Thwaites said.

 

“I got myself up there and made all the right moves and got into all the splits so it was a good day really. I felt pretty good today,” Thwaites told Cyclingnews at the finish. “The team backed me because I had a good opening weekend in Belgium. So I know that I’m in good shape. They just helped me and made sure that I was in the front on the important climbs and from then on I just had to ride my own race. I was trying to keep the group away, ideally, because I’m normally better from a smaller group than a big bunch. It came back and I still had something at the end, so it was ok.”

 

“I’ve made a step up each year and I’ve made another step this year and I’m getting a bit closer each year and I’m also learning the roads which helps a lot. I’d like to hold this form a little longer and bring it into the big classics Flanders and Roubaix. I don’t have any massive ambitions. I think that I’m still a few more years away for really fighting for the win but I’d like to be up there and do something like I did today. To be up there in the splits and to be there or thereabouts coming into the finish.”

 

Mike Teunissen shows his talent for the cobbled classics with top 10 in Waregem

Mike Teunissen placed ninth in the Dwars door Vlaanderen today for team LottoNL-Jumbo. He attacked early in the race, stuck with the first group afterwards and held his own in the sprint. Tom Van Asbroeck finished 11th behind winner Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal).

 

Dwars door Vlaanderen started with a moment of silence to support the victims of the terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. The race organisation decided Tuesday night that the Belgian one-day-race would go on regardless.

 

Mike Teunissen took his chance on the Flemish roads.

 

“I was willing to attack today,” Teunissen said about his early escape. “I know that there are men in the line-up who are better than me so I wanted to take control early.”

His tactic proved a positive one.

 

“You’re always in the first group when they catch you,” he continued. “It might have been better to wait a little longer when you look at my chances at winning this race, on the other hand. This way of racing takes a lot of power and I paid for it in the end.”

 

Teunissen finished in the first group together with Tom Van Asbroeck, who took 11th.

 

“Tom and I were both running out of power in the final,” Teunissen added. “That’s why we decided to go for our own chances. It wouldn’t have made sense to lead out the sprint for the other one. We weren’t fresh enough to do that.”

 

While Teunissen and Van Asbroeck were in the first group of riders, the other Team LottoNL-Jumbo riders tried to bring Dylan Groenewegen back in front.

 

“We gave everything in the final 20 kilometres of the race to give Dylan the chance to sprint for the victory,” Sports Director Nico Verhoeven said. “Just before Nokere Berg, there was only 30 metres between the two groups. It’s frustrating that we just didn’t close that gap. That’s the dominating feeling after this race. We wanted to see an aggressive team today, on the other hand, and Mike and Tom did a good job.”

 

Fernando Gaviria misses out in first race on the cobbles

Riding his first ever cobbled Classic, Fernando Gaviria put on a strong performance on the hellingen and notched another important result in his debut season.

 

In the final 300 meters of the race, Gaviria – who was riding a cobblestone Classic for the first time in his career – opened his sprint, but other riders proved to be faster, the win going into the account of Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal), who finished ahead of Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) and Edward Theuns (Trek-Segrafredo). Still, despite the lactic acid taking its toll, the young Colombian managed to came in the top 10, a result which underlines once again his potential and versatility.

 

"Today, the team rode perfectly for me, and I want to thank my teammates for this and for putting their trust in me. Unfortunately, in the sprint, my legs weren't great and I couldn't do better than this 10th place I got", Gaviria explained right after the finish in Waregem. "This was my first experience in Belgium, and I really liked a lot the cobblestones, the roads and the atmosphere. I enjoyed everything and I also gained important experience for the future."

 

Wanty-Groupe Gobert impresses in Dwars door Vlaanderen

Wanty-Groupe Gobert lined up for Dwars door Vlaanderen (199,3km) with an ambitious team:  Tom Devriendt, Roy Jans, Kévin Van Melsen, Frederik Backaert, Dimitri Claeys, Kenny Dehaes, Simone Antonini and Marco Marcato.

 

With a long breakaway and two riders in the top 20, sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren was happy with the outcome. 

 

"I am happy with how the race turned out today but mostly with how the team behaved in general. I really saw a team on the Flemish roads."

 

After 20 kilometres a breakaway got clear. Kévin Van Melsen and his companions managed to gain a maximum lead of 6,5 minutes on the peloton.

 

"After several attempts I managed to get away at the right moment with six other rides. We got a nice gap immediately," Van Melsen said.

 

Eventually the seven leaders stopped working well together and that was Van Melsen' cue to attack solo on the Oude Kwaremont.

 

"I felt really good tonight and thought: why not have some fun? It's good publicity for me and for the team as well."

 

At 20 kilometres from the line Van Melsen's solo was over. He was caught by a group with many of the individual team leaders. He managed to follow this group but unfortunately there was no cohesion.

 

"That is my only regret today. We had a nice gap on the bunch which meant we could have gone all the way and I would have been able to get a top ten."

 

After Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, it was another day well spent at the front for Van Melsen.

 

"I wasn't happy with how I did this weekend in France but today I felt reassured with my form for the upcoming races."

 

Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) won the sprint in Waregem. Two Wanty-Groupe Gobert riders sprinted to a top 20 place: Marco Marcato in 13th and Frederik Backaert in 18th place.

 

"Today several riders proved themselves. Tom Devriendt did a fantastic job on the Taaienberg. Frederik Backaert protected Marco Marcato well all day and Van Melsen was just outstanding," Hilaire Van der Schueren concludes.

 

Greg Van Avermaet after near-miss: I was hoping to win on a day like today

It was a case of 200m too long for Greg Van Avermaet at Dwars door Vlaanderen, the 200km semi-classic in the Flemish Ardennes, where he narrowly missed out on the win.

 

A breakaway spent much of the day away before being chased down by a small group which included Loïc Vliegen. The peloton eventually came back together as they stormed home towards the finish line.

 

Van Avermaet attacked with 9km to go to build a 10 second lead on the peloton. He looked set to hold on before eventually being caught 200m before the line by the fast-approaching peloton. Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal) took the win ahead of Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) and Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) was third.

 

“The team did really well. Loïc was always up there at the front and he did a really good job of protecting me, so that I could conserve some energy. I chose my moment with 9km to go and just didn’t make it. With 200m to go everybody came over me and the race was over,” Van Avermaet said.

 

Van Avermaet said yesterday’s attacks in Brussels gave extra motivation to ride well.

 

“It was a special day for us with what happened yesterday. Every Belgian guy was really motivated to try to show that we have to fight against it. I was hoping to win on a day like that. I feel pretty confident for the next two races. E3 Harelbeke and Gent Wevelgem are even more important than today so I hope to recover well and hopefully win.”

 

Michael Schär was involved in a crash which forced him to abandon the race. BMC Racing Team doctor Dario Spinelli gave the following update.

 

“Michael has a contusion on his right shoulder and is a little banged up. He is set to race at E3 Harelbeke on Friday so we evaluate his condition again tomorrow before we decide whether he is fit to race.”

 

Jesper Asselman confirms his form with great ride in Flanders

More than 165 kilometers in the break, stay in the front in the finale and compete in the sprint for the podium places. Jesper Asselman was the protagonist for Roompot - Orange Peloton in Dwars door Vlaanderen. His 22nd place in the result is a confirmation of the growth that he shows after more than a year in the pro peloton. 

 

Soon after the start Asselman and five companions build a comfortable lead. "Actually it was not the plan that I would try to join the move,” said Asselman, "But if you are lucky to be in a group, you should go."

 

The winner of the Tour of Drenthe remained in the front of the race until 30 kilometers remained.

 

"On the Oude Kwaremont I had a difficult time and at the bottom of the Paterberg my chain came off. Then it was hard to stay with the chasers, but fortunately I did it. After such a break, you miss the real freshness. Unfortunately I could not position myself for the sprint. Otherwise, it would have been a better outcome."

 

Asselman is hoping to show his good form on Friday in E3 Harelbeke.

 

Kai Reus made his debut for Roompot - Orange Peloton but it was disappointing. 

 

"I was honestly a little scared," the latest addition to the team said after he had abandoned. "It's been three weird weeks. I miss the rhythm and must find the right focus again. And that will certainly succeed." 

 

Raymond Kreder (47th) and Brian Van Goethem finished in the first peloton. Sjoerd van Ginneken, Berden de Vries and Wesley and Michel Kreder arrived a little later

 

Andrey Amador shows himself on the Belgian cobbles on difficult day for Movistar

In the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attacks in Brussels, the four Movistar Team riders available to race in Belgium, Andrey Amador, Fran Ventoso, Juanjo Lobato and Jasha Sütterlin, rode over cobblestones for their first time in a race in 2016 during Wednesday’s Dwars door Vlaanderen (1.HC), 200km with 12 little climbs between Roeselare and Waregem.

 

Costa Rican Amador was the Blues’ top performer, 26th at the finish, in the main group’s sprint led by Jens Debusschere (LTS). He stayed near the top contenders into the final chain of famous cobbled climbs – Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg – and fought to bring back both attempts from Kevin Van Melsen (WGG) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC). The three other riders from the telephone squad finished in the second main field, 50” behind.

 

Mads Pederson emerges as classics contender in Waregem

Team Stölting Service Group started today’s semi-classic Dwars door Vlaanderen – À travers la Flandre (1.HC) without Gerald Ciolek who was struck with a cold. But his shoes were filled in outstanding fashion by Alex Kirsch who was in a day-long breakaway and Mads Pedersen who finished 15th.

 

Following yesterday’s terrorist attack in Brussels, the 199.7 km race began with a minute of silence at the startline, and all riders wore black armbands. Gerald Ciolek had been preparing for this race, but unfortunately caught a cold yesterday. The decision was made not to have him start today and instead focus on his recuperation ahead of the coming races.

 

On the first kilometres the team joined many breakaway attempts. Eventually Alex Kirsch bridged to a group of four after about 20 km, another rider came up, and these six formed the break of the day. They quickly extended their gap to almost eight minutes.

 

Back in the peloton Mads Pedersen lost contact during an echelon in the feed zone, but young Jonas Tenbrock and experienced Michael Reihs brought him back before the hill zone with seven asphalted and five cobbled climbs as well as three flat cobble sections started. Here, three chasers got off the front of the field, and from the Taaienberg with 53 km to go the peloton splintered into several smaller group. Pederson stayed in the mix well and could join one of the first groups. At this point, the break still had a two-minute gap.

 

Kirsch was one of the driving forces in the break, and on the Oude Kwaremont he and Kevin van Melsen (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) dropped the other riders. Kirsch also managed to climb the steep Paterberg on his own before being caught by a chase group of about 10 riders with 29 km to the line.

 

Van Melsen stayed in front for a while still, but a group of six that had gotten free from Kirsch’s group eventually caught him with 17 km to Waregem. Then the race came together a bit, and several groups joined from behind; at the 10-km banner both Kirsch and Pedersen were present in the first group.

 

Pedersen was kept out of the wind by Kirsch in the final, but in the end had to pay the price for the long, hard race and couldn’t sprint for the first positions. The young Dane finished as 15th, Kirsch still made the 29th place after his day-long break.

 

Sports Director Gregor Willwohl is happy with the team’s performance: “It’s a pity that Gerald fell ill and couldn’t start; he was very motivated, but we didn’t want to put him into a race while sick – the riders’ health is paramount. So we changed our race plan to support Mads. He’s in good shape and well-suited to these races. Alex was in the breakaway last year already and knew the parcours, this was to his advantage today. He rode well in the break, and in the final he could make it over the Paterberg as planned. If he’s caught before that one or even the Oude Kwaremont, an escapee doesn’t have a chance against the fresher riders. This way he could rest a bit, eat and drink and then still play a role in the race and help Mads. Mads also did a good job. I’m satisfied with how the race went, everyone did their job well.”

 

The next race for Team Stölting Service Group is the Critérium International (2.HC) on Saturday and Sunday. Also, Michael Carbel and Mads Pedersen will ride the U23 edition of Gent-Wevelgem with the Danish national team on Sunday.

 

Vegard Breen emerges as classics leader for Fortuneo-Vital Concept

At the front of the pack all day, Vegard Breen showed that Fortuneo-Vital Concept can rely on him for the classics. He finished in the first group of about thirty riders. 

Breen said: "I had very good legs today. When I realized it was going to end in a sprint, I wanted to try to attack but it was very fast and I never had opportunities. I am disappointed not to have made ​​a result but I am relieved with my state of form. I hope to do something on Friday at E3."   

 

Katusha freshens up the legs before Kristoff’s arrival in Belgium

For Team Katusha it was a day to freshen up the legs and return to the rhythm of racing for many of the riders who have been a few weeks away from competition as they prepare to compete in the upcoming cobbled classics.

 

With yesterday’s bombing in Brussels, there was extra security at both the start in Roeselare and finish in Waregem for Wednesday’s race. In addition there was a moment of silence before the race start as well as many riders displaying a black armband to honor the victims in another senseless tragedy. Despite some travel changes, all of Team Katusha riders and staff are safe in Belgium, with Kristoff, Bystrøm, Guarnieri and Mørkøv all arriving tomorrow for Friday’s E3.