This Sunday Wanty-Groupe Gobert lines up for the Tour of Flanders. What was supposed to be the pinnacle of the Flemish Spring Classics for the team has become a day with a dark cloud following Antoine Demoitié’s death.
“It was a very hard week. The preparations for the Ronde didn’t go as planned, unfortunately. This Wednesday we did a long training together and I think it was good for the guys. After that I spoke with some riders individually as well because some of them have not only lost their teammate Antoine but also their friend Daan Myngheer,” Directeur Sportif Hilaire Van Der Schueren explains.
“It was the right decision not to ride in De Panne and the races in France this weekend. But on Sunday we race. The only thing we can do for Antoine and also for Daan is get a result to make them proud.”
Kévin Van Melsen was part of the day’s breakaway in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Dwars door Vlaanderen. He has only one thing on his mind in the Ronde.
“It is not easy to think about racing but now I know for sure that I will be able to say goodbye to Antoine on Monday (instead of the initially planned Sunday), I am twice as motivated for Sunday’s race. I want to be part of the breakaway with Antoine on my mind. I want him to be proud of me and proud of us up there.”
Team captain Marco Marcato already got some good results in the Spring Classics. During the weekend of E3 Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem he was Antoine’s roommate. Despite everything the Italian feels ready for the Ronde.
“I went home to prepare for this race which was the best thing for me to do. The Ronde is one of the biggest races on the calendar and certainly one of the best. My preparation wasn’t optimal but I feel strong enough to fight with the best. I will try my best like I always do and then we’ll see.”
TEAM
Marco Marcato (ITA)
Jérôme Baugnies (BEL)
Dimitri Claeys (BEL)
Björn Thurau (GER)
Tom Devriendt (BEL)
Frederik Backaert (BEL)
Kévin Van Melsen (BEL)
Kenny Dehaes (BEL)
Directeur Sportifs: Hilaire Van Der Schueren / Steven De Neef
