A day of bad luck for Wanty-Groupe Gobert and unfortunately not for the first time this season. This time it was in the Tour of Flanders. With a stuck chain for Bjorn Leukemans and a shoe problem for Marco Marcato the good starting point the team had created for itself before the final started, disappeared in the last 30 kilometres of the race. 

The breakaway of the day left without any representation from Wanty-Groupe Gobert. "I didn't find that too terrible," sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren reacted despite the fact this was one of the team's goals.

“I saw Sky take to the front immediately. I knew that this was our sign to keep the team well positioned and together at the front so we could take matters back into our own hands in the final of the race." 

In that final a group of 24 riders remained in front with Marco Marcato and Bjorn Leukemans as only representatives of all the procontinental teams. 

“Just before the Kruisberg I was well positioned at the front. I had just moved up and wanted to try something there, just like last year. When I tried to shift to my 42 to attack, the chain got stuck. Everything was blocked. I had to let the second group go to get a spare bike. The team car was far away because there were several groups close together and then you know it's done," Leukemans reacted with obvious disappointment. 

Marco Marcato was the second rider for Wanty-Groupe Gobert in the first group with all the pre-race favourites. 

“Not even 100 metres after Bjorn got trouble with his bike, I got problems with my shoe. I couldn't pedal well anymore. This is a hard race when you are good but when you have a little problem, it is even harder. Still, I think we did a good race as a team," the Italian reacted. 

“I saw a fantastic Leukemans today. Then you start thinking, maybe there is something possible, maybe even a podium place. And then you see him standing on the Kruisberg and you feel utterly helpless. But alas, that's racing too. I think Marco finished where he should have, 18th, despite the fact he had that problem with the shoe cleats. Leukemans would have finished in the top 5 today," Van Der Schueren concludes.

Leukemans looks ahead to next week's Paris-Roubaix already, just like his sports director. There are new chances waiting for Leukemans and the team in France. 

“I think I lost a beautiful race today, but next week there is a race again and that race is another one that suits me well," he concludes.