Gerben Thijssen, supported by his sprint train, obtained his fifth podium of the season in the Van Merksteijn Classic, previously known as the GP Marcel Kint.
After his success in the GP Monseré and the Bredene-Koksijde Classic, the 24 year old Belgian sprinted to the third step of the podium in a race of the Lotto Cycling Cup. A complete peloton contested the victory after five laps between Kortrijk and Zwevegem and only Caleb Ewan and Tim Merlier preceded the leader of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty.
"The approach of the sprint was chaotic. The final straight was slightly downhill, the speed was very high. My position was not ideal, I came from far and had to launch my sprint early. I was forced to pass everyone on the right, covering a longer distance than my competitors in the inside of the corner. Finishing in the slipstream of Caleb Ewan and Tim Merlier was the best I could get here in Zwevegem, one and a half kilometre from my home." "I can be pleased to finish on the podium with these two champions, but as a sprinter you always aim for the win. I'm convinced that I could have rewarded the team if I would have used my high speed with efficiency. My form is good, because I was already close to the victory in the Dunkirk Four Day last week. Together we will try again in my birth region on Monday, in the Ronde van Limburg, on a more challenging course but with realistic sprint chances."
