Wanty got their World Championships debut in last Sunday's team time trial. Having had little time to prepare the event, the team is satisfied with its 21st place.

 

This Sunday, the Wanty-Groupe Gobert team was invited to the World team time trial championships. Tim de Troyer, Jan Ghyselinck, Kévin Van Melsen, Frederik Veuchelen, Francis de Greef and Thomas Degand made up the team that rode off the start ramp as tenth team of the day. Wanty-Groupe Gobert finished 21st after 57,1 kilometres in and around the Spanish town of Ponferrada.

 

“I think that we can be satisfied," sports director Thierry Marichal said. “We didn't have a very specific preparation for this event. Because of the busy race schedule at this time of the year, we have managed to train together only two times." 

 

At the first intermediate point Wanty-Groupe Gobert clocked a 23rd time. “We started a bit too slow,"" said Tim de Troyer. "Thinking of the course and the climbs that were yet to come, we were a little bit cautious in the beginning."

 

After that first intermediate point, the team went better. "Of course we know each other well but we haven't done dozens of team time trials together. We are not 100% used to riding in formation," De Troyer continued.

 

At the second and third time check the team clocked a 22nd time. 

 

“Before the start we decided to keep an even pace throughout the race. It was only in the last few kilometres, on the last climb that we lost Jan." 

 

The team finished with five of its six riders in 21st position, only 1,5 seconds from Ag2r-la Mondiale. The average speed over 57,1 kilometres was 50,663 km/h. 

 

“I am happy with the riders' motivation. We were ranked close to several World Tour teams and even beat Lotto-Belisol," sports director Marcichal concludes.

 

“Personally I am very happy," De Troyer adds. "The atmosphere at the World Championships is something completely different to any other race. It was a great experience."