With two riders in the top 30 of the overall classification, an attacking style of racing with riders in the breakaway in five out of seven stages plus a top ten in the seventh stage, the Tour de Suisse can be called a success for Team Wanty-Groupe Gobert.
“Our goal was to have one rider in the top 30 of the overall and we finish the race with two in the top 30. Both Francis De Greef (22nd) as Marco Minnaard (28th) did very well," sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren evaluates.
“I am happy with my result in Switzerland. I felt good and the climbs went very well. Unfortunately there weren't more real mountain stages in this Tour de Suisse. I could have finished in the top 20 then. However a 22nd place on WorldTour level makes me feel very content," De Greef comments. His next goal will be the Tour of Austria.
Wanty-Groupe Gobert has always been known for its attacking style of racing. In the Tour de Suisse the specially designed team kit was visible in five out of seven breakaways. Marco Marcato was up front in stages 3 and 8, Frederik Backaert in stage 4, Mirko Selvaggi in stage 5 and Jérôme Baugnies in stage 6.
First year pro Simone Antonini finished his WorldTour stage race. He was one of only six first year neo-pros to achieve this.
“Every day the racing was really fast and really hard," the 24-year old looks back. "I learned this week that I will have to make sacrifices every day to get success. I am happy however that I did finish this race because it will make me stronger."
Marco Marcato was the fourth rider to have finished for Wanty-Groupe Gobert.
“I am happy with how I rode this week in Switzerland. Just like in the Spring Classics I proved I can ride on WorldTour level. I didn't really get a result for the team but you do need to realize that 80% of the riders here are on Tour de France form and level," the Italian said.
“We couldn't take part in the sprints because we didn't have a sprinter on the team here. It's also a pity that Enrico Gasparotto had to abandon the race because of an inflammation. The penultimate two stages would have really suited him," Van Der Schueren concludes.
“All in all I am very happy. We received compliments of our sponsors Atar and KBA for our aggressive style of racing and results here. Furthermore we also finish above both Lotto-Soudal and Etixx-QuickStep in the team classification.
Marc SOLER 31 years | today |
Ryan CAVANAGH 29 years | today |
Shinpei FUKUDA 37 years | today |
Kosuke TAKEYAMA 27 years | today |
Michael VINK 33 years | today |
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