Wanty Groupe Gobert starts at GP Samyn tomorrow with defending champion Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and lining up alongside the Belgian are Frederik Backaert, Tom Devriendt, Timothy Dupont, Mark McNally, Boris Vallée and Kevin Van Melsen.
Van Keirsbulck struggled at Omloop het Nieuwsblad at the weekend but felt better at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.
“My opening weekend was mixed,” admitted Van Keirsbulck. “After the Omloop, I asked myself questions because I never felt good. It was a little panic. But yesterday in Kuurne I have reassured myself. This was a big difference in terms of feeling. I found strength in the legs and still had reserves in the final. I had to prepare the sprint for Timothy, but we lost each other in the final kilometres.”
“It is always fun to start with number one. The circumstances are different than last year. It will not be too bad, just very cold. I will dress warmly to warm up my muscles for the final. Then we will see who is still present. The course is tiring, but the cobblestones here suit me. Quick Step seems well armed, and when Gilbert is here he wants to win the opening race in Wallonia.”
Wanty Groupe Gobert Directeur Sportif Hilaire Van der Schueren is expecting the cold to be a significant factor, but expects his two team leaders – Van Keirsbulck and Backaert – to be in the mix.
“I expect a special Le Samyn in these weather conditions,” said Van der Schueren. “In the final, victims will fall because it is even colder than last year. We will have to dose our efforts just like last year. In the first part of the race we will let Quick Step and Lotto control the race. We only have to make sure that we do not let a group leave with them and without our riders.”
“Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and Frederik Backaert will be our two strong men to ride the final, especially because they can cope with the cold. We keep Timothy Dupont as a wildcard for the sprint, although I’m afraid it will not be a sprint here. But it is always interesting to have Timothy, especially for the men who are at the head of the race.”
