Following on from the tragic death of Veranda’s Willems-Crelan rider Michael Goolaerts on Sunday evening, after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Paris-Roubaix, it remained uncertain whether the devastated team mates of the young Belgian rider would participate in Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday.
The team today made the following statement:
“On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 the 58th Brabantse Pijl will take place with Veranda’s Willems – Crelan at the start. After careful consultation and at the request of Michael Goolaerts’ family and our riders, we decided to be at the start of the race. Above all, the Brabantse Pijl will be our first race after the tragic loss of our team mate and friend. The first race we’ll ride with Michael in our minds.
“The entire team will meet on Tuesday, including the riders who are not in the line-up. This is a moment to come together as a team and to back and console each other. The riders who are not riding on Wednesday will be there as support for the riders who are. Everyone contributes to the team. Everyone is part of the race. Everyone ‘Sniper’. This as a tribute to Michael. #All4Goolie!”
The race organisers have since said that the peloton will pay respect to Michael at the start of the race. Veranda’s Willems-Crelan will be the last team on the podium during the team presentation and at 12.30 p.m., there will be one minute of silence at the Town Square in Leuven.
After the ceremonial start, there will be a local lap in Leuven, where the Verandas team will lead the peloton to the kilometre zero sign. At the official start, the peloton will stop a second time for a minute of silence.
