Zico Waeytens (Giant-Alpecin) took his first professional victory when he came out on top in a hectic, wet sprint on the final stage of the Belgium Tour. Coming off the Bora-Argon 18 train, he held off Daniel McLay (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) and Timothy Dupont (Veranda’s Willems) to open his account while Dries Devenyns and Reto Hollenstein stayed safe in the wet conditions to make it a 1-2 for IAM in the overall standings.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Dries Devenyns: Stig Broeckx’s condition is more important than this victory

Dries Devenyns and Reto Hollenstein doubled up for IAM Cycling in the overall standings. The two riders on the Swiss professional team came in first and second place, respectively, at the Baloise Belgium Tour. 

 

“I’m disappointed we missed out on getting third place too,” directeur sportif Lionel Marie joked once the peloton crossed the finish line. This is in fact the second time this season that IAM Cycling riders took two podium positions in the overall at a race. Leigh Howard and Aleksejs Saramotins had accomplished this impressive feat at the Clasica Almeria in February when Howard won and Saramotins took third.

 

Lionel Marie explained the situation at the end of the race.

 

“We came with an experienced team to Belgium,” the French DS said.  “Our guys were able to race well and intelligently.  They never panicked.  Initially this morning, many of them were still reeling from the shock of the terrible crash and events from the day before.  Some of the guys did not have their heads into racing today.  But in spite of the mental challenge, we were able to work well together to fight off the incessant attacks that Etixx - Quick Step threw at us.  Dries Deveyns really deserves this victory.  And it highlights the excellent work that he did with Marcello Albasini at their recent training camp.  I am proud of this team.”

 

This is the second overall victory in a stage race that IAM Cycling has earned this season.  The first came courtesy of Jérôme Coppel at the Etoile de Bessèges in February.  The Swiss team has tallied up 28 podium positions so far this season.

 

Devenyns, the new winner of the Baloise Belgium Tour. could not help feeling very introspective when called to the podium on Sunday. 

 

“It’s all very confusing.  I am happy to have my victory, but I’m not completely happy,” Devenyns confided.  “I don’t feel like I am coming away as a carefree winner.  All my thoughts are with Stig Broeckx.  What happened yesterday is very serious.  I cannot rejoice in my victory under these circumstances.

 

"From a sporting point of view, I am satisfied. “ have had a strong week although this victory will surely always have a black edge due to the events of Saturday.

 

"I have had a difficult day. I was constantly thinking about Stig Broeckx. I think everyone was riding with the same bad feeling. That lasted until the race suddenly exploded and the pace got fast. My final victory? The race is not as important. The state of Stig Broeckx is more important.

 

"Cycling will always be a dangerous sport. Not much will change. However, I suggest that it has become extremely dangerous lately. It is not the first time we have an accident in the race. So yesterday was no different.  I do not know what has to change. This problem is not solved in one-two-three. Normally I had to be proud after this victory. However, my mind is not on the win.

 

"I did not feel much for today. I did not see the accident but when you hear the stories, the situation is evident. Today I often thought about what we can do.

 

"But from a sporting point of view, I am satisfied. This may help me in the search for a new team.”

 

Reto Hollenstein turns into GC contender at the Belgium Tour

Having taken third in the prologue and second place overall, Reto Hollenstein felt a great sense of relief:

 

“This performance underscores all the hard work I have done in recent years.  Cycling requires so many sacrifices.  I am happy to be rewarded.  This result gives me more confidence in myself.  I came to the Tour of Belgium without any real personal ambitions.  I just wanted to apply myself, do my best.  And often it is when you have less pressure that you perform better.  This will allow me to face my upcoming goals like the Tour of Switzerland with more serenity. IAM Cycling is entering the most important section of the season with the Dauphiné, Tour de Suisse and Tour de France on the horizon.  It is essential that all the riders arrive at the start in the best condition in order to address these objectives.”

 

Zico Waeytens eyes Belgian Championships after taking maiden pro win

Team Giant-Alpecin had four riders in front keeping the tempo high and chasing down some late rare attacks. The guys worked hard in the closing stages to set up the sprint and hit the front with numbers to position Zico Waeytens. Sam Oomen drove the team into the closing stages during an intense battle with the rival sprint trains.

 

In the reduced bunch, Waeytens fought hard to position himself on the right wheel and he showed an impressive turn of pace to claim his first victory for the team.

 

Zico Waeytens said: “I am delighted with my first victory. The plan for today was to set up the sprint for me. It was raining all day and the guys did an awesome job to protect me.

 

“In the sprint finish, I was feeling confident and really strong. It was a tricky finale, therefore we had to be in the front and we managed this in a good way. The guys brought me in a good position and the lead-out was perfect. Then, I gave it all to finish and it is nice to win the stage after a difficult couple of days. We raced perfectly together. I think this is a victory for the whole team and I’m really happy about it.

 

"I'm obviously happy with this first victory in the pro ranks. It had to come. I had collected a number of second and third places.

 

“I rode with Stig Broeckx in my mind. But the Baloise Belgium Tour is a great race and they have done nothing wrong.

 

"I really expected more from my spring. It was not good at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, I crashed twice in the Tour of Flanders ... It was disappointing, but I've always felt the confidence of the team. Recently I also extended my contract for two years.”

 

"As a young rider, I noticed that an uphill sprint suit me. If the race is hard, I'm at my best." 

 

The Belgian Championship takes place in late June. The finish is slightly uphill. 

 

"Moreover, I have Bert De Backer who can set me up. But first I must do the Dauphiné Libéré. Afterwards, the Tour de France is an option.

 

"The team which had full confidence in me, put me in perfect position for the last few meters. Actually, this was a sprint that suited me. I went from afar, at over 250 meters from the finish and never felt in trouble. This stage win feels good but my thoughts still go to Stig Broeckx. It's nice that I have won but it is more important that things go well for Stig.

 

"Of course this is our job but after the accident, I always thought about it. And I'm not the only ine. Everywhere they talked about one thing. Today I had not wanted to start but you have to go with the rest. It was aweird stage, especially in the beginning. I find it hard to describe.

 

Coach Arthur van Dongen added: “It is a fantastic victory. It was a tough stage with extremely tough weather conditions. We rode on the front pretty much the whole day to keep our riders out of trouble. Our plan was to focus on a sprint with Zico and the team did a brilliant job and everyone carried our their plan to perfection.

 

“It was a really hectic finish, we had a bit of bad luck with the punctures of Simon [Geschke] and Max [Wahlscheid] but Johannes [Fröhlinger] and Sam did a great job on the lead-out in the final kilometer to put Zico in the perfect position to sprint. It is a great victory for the team as we worked really hard for it and we can be proud of our performance.”

 

Another second place for strong Daniel McLay at the Belgium Tour

“Bit far back to get the win today, another 2nd. No joy in that result for me with @StigBroeckx still in hospital, keep fighting mate,” Daniel McLay tweeted after having sprinted to second.

 

In-form and aggressive Stijn Vandenbergh takes surprise podium spot at the Belgium Tour

On a day which was expected to finish in a bunch gallop despite several cobbled sections, Etixx-QuickStep tried to make the race as soon as the hostilities began on the roads taking to Tongeren. Iljo Keisse, Tony Martin and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck rode away in a group which consisted of 11 riders with the intention of putting pressure on overall leader Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling). Despite the strong winds and nagging rain, the group hanged on to a small gap to the peloton until the final 40 kilometers, when the pack came back and neutralized that move.

 

Of the riders who were part of the escape, Iljo Keisse and Sebastien Delfosse (Wallonie-Bruxelles) accelerated before the junction was made and opened a 20-second advantage which helped them keep the chasers at bay until inside the last 15 kilometers, when it was all together again. As in the previous stages, the finale was a nervous one, and this led to a crash in the pack, Yves Lampaert being among those involved, fortunately without any consequences.

 

In the sprint, Zico Waeytens (Giant-Alpecin) emerged victorious, ahead of Daniel McLay (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) and Timothy Dupont (Verandas Willems), while Niki Terpstra was Etixx – Quick-Step's best placed rider in 7th, an impressive result considering he chased to get back in the bunch after puncturing at a crucial moment of the race, when the peloton was pushing a really strong pace. In the general classification, Stijn Vandenbergh came third – only four seconds adrift – notching his top result of the season in a stage race and his maiden podium in the Belgium Tour.

 

"It was a hard stage. Just before a cobbled stretch I punctured, but luckily Niki was there and gave me his wheel and the other guys brought me back to the front. Then, I went for bonus seconds and I was strong enough to pick a few, which helped me defend my place on the podium. Would have been nice to win the race, but I'm still happy with this third place in front of my supporters, especially as it came following a fantastic work of the team throughout the week", said Stijn Vandenbergh after completing the 86th edition of the Belgium Tour.

 

Sergei Chernetskii fourth at the Belgium Tour despite cancellation of key stage

Sergei Chernetckii kept his 4th place in the GC, finishing 16 seconds behind overall winner Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling).

 

”Due to the cancellation of yesterday’s stage we lost our opportunities to attack in the queen’s stage. On the other hand, we really agreed with the decision to cancel that stage. The only thing we could do today was to protect Sergei Chernetckii’s fourth place in GC and we succeeded. It even looked better when, in the local laps, a group of 11 riders went away. Angel Vicioso was part of it and he was the second best placed rider of them. Unfortunately there was no good collaboration between the 11 guys,” said Team Director José Azevedo.

 

Shane Archbold takes over from Sam Bennet at the Belgium Tour

In the sprint finish BORA – ARGON 18 did not ride for Sam Bennett. Bennett still suffers from his crash on the first stage and therefore the team decided to support Shane Archbold. Gregor Mühlberger brought Archbold to the front of the peloton in the last kilometre, but the Kiwi had to launch his sprint a little early and was overtaken in the last 100m. Still the 5th place is a fine end to a hard week with a lot of crashes.

 

“Well, we cannot be satisfied with the results this week, but I think they are explainable. We had really bad luck with crashes in the first two stages, especially Sam hit the ground really hard on the first day. But on the other hand we have been really lucky to be not involved in the accident yesterday. The positive thing is that the guys that came here from the altitude felt all pretty good. And the 5th place today from Shane is a really good sign. Now it is time to recover and look forward to the next races,” said Enrico Poitschke, sports director.

 

Enrico Gasparotto continues dream season with top result at the Belgium Tour

The Baloise Belgium Tour (2.HC) took place from Wednesday to Sunday. Wanty-Groupe Gobert lined up with Frederik Backaert, Dimitri Claeys, Jérôme Baugnies, Enrico Gasparotto, Danilo Napolitano, Kenny Dehaes, Björn Thurau and Tom Devriendt. Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling) won the race. The Italian rider Enrico Gasparotto finished 6th of the general classification. This 86th edition was marred by the incident of Stig Broeckx (Lotto-Soudal) in the third place.

"We rode a good Baloise Belgium Tour. Enrico Gasparotto did it very well. I regret what happened Saturday because it was our stage. It was one of our main goals this season but there is nothing more important than life. Our thoughts are with Stig Broeckx", sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren said.

In the prologue in Beveren Dimitri Claeys was the best rider. He lost only 22 seconds behind the winner Wout Van Aert. In the first stage between Buggenhout and Knokke-Heist Kenny Dehaes took the third place of the bunch sprint. With 1.5 km to go, a massive crash destroyed the preparation of the sprint. Kenny Dehaes lost many positions and made a great effort to come back in the first positions of the peloton.

 

 "On the one hand it is a good result for the team, on the other hand, I'm disappointed because I really had the legs to win", Kenny Dehaes regrets.

The second stage was for the specialists of Flemish classics with many climbs as the Berendries, Leberg and Valkenberg and the cobbled sectors of the Paddestraat and the Lippenhovenstraat. Enrico Gasparotto made a great race. He finished seventh of the stage won by Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling).

 

"It is a very nice result but I don't feel comfortable on the cobbled stones. It is important to take time bonus on the other riders for the GC", Enrico Gasparotto said.

The third stage was called off on the descent of the Mont Rigi after a big crash, which was caused by two motorbikes.  19 riders were involved and that 11 of them were taken to hospital. Stig Broeckx was severely injured and is still in a coma. Organisers first neutralized and then abandoned the stage. Enrico Gasparotto helped call off the stage.

 

"It was not a hard decision. I immediately had the idea about stopping because what happened was really serious and really bad for cycling again. What happened already this year to our team, that cannot happen again."

Discussions took place between riders, teams and race organisers, and it was decided that the final stage would be raced.

 

"It was very difficult to motivate the riders but I told them that the Baloise Belgium Tour takes place once a year. It is one of the most important races of the season for the team and we had to secure the sixth place ofEnrico Gasparotto in the general classification", Hilaire Van der Schueren continues.

After a neutralized start, the peloton rode together to Tongeren. At 20 kilometres before the finish, Enrico Gasparotto had a puncture and Hilaire Van Der Schueren brought him back in the peloton.  Frederik Backaert attacked with 4 km to go and was caught 1.5 kilometre further. Zico Waeytens (Giant-Alpecin) won the bunch sprint in Tongeren. Enrico Gasparotto took the sixth place.

 

"I'm glad that the race is over and I could stay safe. That is the most important thing today", Enrico Gasparotto admits.

Sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren was still thinking at Stig Broeckx's crash after the race.

 

"I hope we can discuss it next week with the other sports directors to find a solution", Hilaire Van der Schueren concludes.

 

Difficult Belgium Tour for Roompot

For Roompot - Orange Peloton, the five-day race in Belgium was an eventful race, with an eighth place for Michel Kreder in the final stage as the highlight.

 

After Berden de Vries was fifteenth in the prologue in Beveren, Brian Van Goethem got attention in stage 1. He was in the break of the day. In preparation for the sprint, Van Goethem, Jesper Asselman and Barry Markus hit the ground. Raymond Kreder was hampered by the incident and couldn’t do the sprint.

 

The team had more bad luck on Friday. Berden de Vries, in good shape and well placed in the standings, had to deal with a flat tire just when the finale started. Jesper Asselman finished 21st.

 

Asselman was one of the victims in the big crash yesterday. He suffered a concussion while De Vries had to withdraw with an ankle injury.

 

Today Raymond Kreder was sick and so abandoned before the sprint. His brother Michel (8th) gave Roompot - Orange Peloton the only place of honor at the Tour of Belgium. Nick van der Lijke (16th) was the best in the final standings.