Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team racks up its fourth victory since mid-February.
Warre Vangheluwe powered to an impressive success Friday afternoon at the fifth edition of the Youngster Coast Challenge, the 166.1km one-day race which took place in Belgium between Bredene and Koksijde, over a mainly flat course that included just two climbs – Kemmelberg and Rodeberg – both in the second part of the route.
It was there that the 21-year-old Belgian made his move together with countryman Alec Segaert (Lotto-Dstny Development Team), opening a maximum gap of 1:40 over the peloton. Once in the lead, the duo drove a strong pace, working well together until the closing kilometers, when Segaert tried to go solo, only for Warre to counter that move. Eventually, despite the fact that the peloton made up ground fast on the finishing circuit, the two remained in the front, and Vangheluwe came out on top in the sprint.
I’m incredibly happy!
“After breaking away with Alec, we just rode hard and all that effort paid off, as we arrived at the finish ahead of the bunch. He attacked three times, but I responded each time, as I was really confident in my sprint and now I am just delighted I could pull it off”, Warre explained after the race. “I’ve worked hard during the winter, because I knew that riding for the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team was a big chance and wanted to make the most out of it. This victory gives me even more motivation for my next two races, the GP Wilfried Peeters and Gent-Wevelgem.”
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
Warre Vangheluwe 