Circus-ReUz-Technord takes it all
The Continental Development team participated with twelve riders in two races this weekend, the Dorpenomloop Rucphen, second race of the Holland Cup, and the second edition of the Get Up Cup Aywaille in the Ardennes.
Under the direction of Dimitri Claeys, Laurenz Rex obtained the first UCI victory of Circus-ReUz-Technord and as a professional rider in a sprint with three in the streets of Sint Willebrord, by preceding the peloton in which his teammate Axel Huens crossed the line in sixth place.
In the province of Liège, the young group directed by Kévin Van Melsen and Christophe Prémont realized the double at the end of a perfectly managed race. Alexy Faure won solo, on wet roads, ahead of his teammate Francesco Busatto after attacking on the final climb on the hilly local circuit.
These victories are added to the ones of Roel van Sintmaartensdijk ahead of Axel Huens in Brussels-Opwijk, and Alexy Faure in Villers-le-Temple in February.
« I'm so happy to achieve my first professional victory, especially after the bad luck I had in January and February. Two weeks ago, I hurt my knee in a crash in Omloop het Nieuwsblad. After a week of rest, my trainer Christophe Prémont planned a simulation of a stage race with four intense training sessions and today's race with Circus-ReUz-Technord in Rucphen. I knew that this series would be good for my condition, but at the other hand I felt the fatigue and I preferred to be prudent in this kind of nervous race. In the end, with 20 kilometer to go I managed to attack with two other riders and sprint for the victory just ahead of the peloton. »
« This success is a result of the excellent collaboration between Circus-ReUz-Technord and Intermarché-Circus-Wanty. I know the riders of our Development team very well, because after our common training camp in December I joined them in Alicante in February to prepare the season. All are motivated to learn and to make progression. Today again it pleased me to guide the young riders as a captain. The atmosphere is identical as in the World Team. I was welcomed in the same way as the U23 rider are when they race with the pros. Together, our two teams form one big family. »
« After the last pull of Sacha, I lead the peloton on the final climb aiming to lead Francesco to the victory. But I noticed that only one competitor was left in his slipstream with 1.5 kilometer to go. So I attacked to increase our chances on the victory. In the end, I managed to stay in the lead and Francesco was indeed the fastest a couple of seconds later. I won the two Belgian races in which I participated this season, what a start it has been! My transition to the U23 category is going pretty well, thanks to my trainer Christophe Prémont and my team Circus-ReUz-Technord. As an U23 rider you can't wish for a better environment to develop! »
« Circus-ReUz-Technord was definitely the strongest team today. We perfectly executed our tactics today by provoking the selection in the peloton in the final and surviving with three guys in the final. It was a perfect scenario for Alexy Faure, Sacha Prestianni and myself. Alexy attacked on the final climb when we were only four riders anymore. I also managed to get rid of our two competitors of Lotto-Dstny to take second place behind my teammate. It was my first U23 race of the season and together we managed to achieve a better result as expected. My form is excellent after one month of racing with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty. I will again wear the jersey of the World Team this Wednesday for Milano-Torino. »
Dorpenomloop Rucphen:
1.Laurenz Rex 3:49:43
2.Gianluca Pollefliet
3.Andrea Raccagni Noviero
6.Axel Huens +0:06
25.Obie Vidts
Get Up Cup:
1.Alexy Faure-Prost 3:28:23
2.Francesco Busatto +0:04
3.Ramses Debruyne +0:10
18.Sacha Prestianni +1:03
33.Dylan Vandenstorme +2:36
103.Jasper Dejaegher +12:07
104.Victor Hannes
