The Belgian finished just outside the podium after a remarkable display.
The Ardennes Classics kicked off this Sunday with the 58th edition of the Amstel Gold Race, and Soudal Quick-Step ended up being one of the main protagonists on the road of Valkenburg, in the mix for victory until the final moments of the race which saw the riders take on 33 climbs for a total of 4500 vertical meters.
Animated by a small breakaway until 60 kilometers to go, the race came to life in the final 50 kilometers, when Louis Vervaeke attacked and was joined by two riders together with whom he applied some pressure on the peloton. Despite their action coming to an end 35 kilometers from the finish, it ended up playing a vital role in the outcome, as it paved the way for another attack, this time of a more numerous group, where Mauri Vansevenant made sure of booking a place.
The 25-year-old made on Sunday his first outing since last month’s Volta a Catalunya, and despite not knowing what to expect from a race he was competing in for just the second time in his career, he made the most of the opportunity and showed he was one of the strongest riders in the field. On the Cauberg, the mythical climb which used to serve as finish until a decade ago, Mauri was one of the few to respond to the accelerations that split the leading group, leaving only four men at the front.
Having crested the ascent with almost 40 seconds in hand, the quartet began believing in their chances, and the Belgian was one of the most active members of the group, taking some long pulls that helped them carry this advantage inside the closing ten kilometers. Briefly dropped by his companions, Vansevenant produced a gargantuan effort to make it back, and once he rejoined the leaders – after catching his breath for a moment – he moved again to the front and dug deep, as the chasers were sitting only ten seconds behind.
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A regrouping almost happened on the finishing stretch, only an incredibly long pull of Mauri, who decided to open the sprint at 400 meters to go, allowing the quartet to hold off the chasers and fight for the win, which went to Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers). Vansevenant came home in a remarkable fourth place, his best placing in an Ardennes Classic and a result that left him a bittersweet taste.
“Amstel is always a surprising race, and this time was no different. We did a good job as a team and had a plan, which was being in the important moves that came in the final part. Louis was the first to attack, then I went and the group I was in was very strong and rode well together, which helped us open a good gap.”
“In the final 20 kilometers I went all-out, giving everything out there. When I crossed the line, I was quite disappointed, because I would have liked to be on the podium, but afterwards I watched the replay and saw that if I don’t start my sprint from the distance, then they catch us, so in the end it was the right thing to do, especially as I had to make a decision fast. A podium would have made me very happy, but fourth remains a good and really surprising result that makes me proud. Today will give us a lot of confidence going forward, I am sure of that”, Mauri added.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
