After a strong finale where three riders of Astana Pro Team got in a breakaway of twelve, Michael Valgren managed to attack at the right moment and take the win at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. After the decisive Kapelmuur the group was created, and after several attacks and closing down gaps, the teamwork was rewarded by Valgren’s victory.
“We really deserved this win with our team, as we were really strong in today’s final,” said Valgren. “I attacked several times, but the final time I knew it was the right one and I went full gas. Of course, I had some doubts if I was able to stay in front, but going into the final meters I knew we got it. I’m really happy with this win, it’s the biggest so far in my career. I hope I can build on this for the next races to come. It was really special.”
This morning the peloton started in a cold Gent for the first Belgium classic of the 2018 season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Right from the start there were attacks, resulting in a ten-riders breakaway that gained a maximum advantage of 4 minutes during the first part of the race. But going into the final part of the race, with 40 kilometers to go, the pack was back together before the challenging cobblestone climbs.
Because of several attacks before the real first climb, the Kapelmuur, already a select group started at the bottom of this climb. Behind a strong Sep Vanmarcke a group was formed of nine riders, including our Oscar Gatto, Alexey Lutsenko and Michael Valgren. After Vanmarcke was caught, the leading group excisted out of twelve riders, still including the three Astana Pro Team riders. Going into the final 10 kilometers, it was clear that this group would battle for the win. After an unsuccessful attack with 8 kilometers to go, Michael Valgren tried it again as a counter attack on Sep Vanmarcke. At that point, nobody could follow and it was Valgren riding solo to the finish line.
“Our strategy was working out fine, as we were protecting our four possible cards to play during the whole day, and then at the Kapelmuur almost all four were in the leading group,” said Astana sports director Lars Michaelsen. “It was one big teamwork today, with great work of all the riders but also from all the staff who did a perfect job behind the scenes. Everybody contributed and then Michael had the legs to finish it off, he really deserves it.”
Pole Lukasz Wisniowski battled to second at today after a gutsy ride in the opening Classic. He hung tough over the final two climbs, having made it across to the lead group, before pushing clear in the closing kilometre to seal second behind Valgren.
Sep Vanmarcke rounded out the podium today. The Belgian, who won the race in 2012, aimed higher, but he was all smiles from the third step, waving to his wife and daughter in the crowd. His performance in the final 20 kilometers showed his strength and buoyed his confidence ahead of the cobbles still to come.
“Second or third, it’s all right,” said Vanmarcke. “It doesn’t matter from those two places if you don’t win but you’re still on the podium.”
“It was physical more than tactical to be up there on the front initially,” said Vanmarcke. “The first 10 guys, you had to be strong to do an attack, you had to be strong to wait for the sprint. If you’re there with the top 10, you’re strong and from there it’s gambling.”
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