Our team made it ten victories at the Belgian race.
Martin Svrcek celebrated his maiden win in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey at the most important kermesse of the season, Gullegem Koerse. It was a well-deserved success for the talented 21-year-old, bronze medalist at last year’s U23 World Championships, who arrived alone at the finish after launching a daring attack just one kilometer from the line.
“I feel great! It’s just my second race after two months, and to show this good form and be able to finish it off after a hard day, it’s something incredible. I can’t tell you how delighted I am with this win”, Martin said after becoming the first Slovak rider to come out on top in Gullegem Koerse, which was created in 1942.
Tuesday’s 176km race was a lively one from the beginning, when Varre Vangheluwe tried to go in the breakaway. The young Belgian made it, but things kept changing and soon after another group was in the lead. This time, Ayco Bastiaens was there for Soudal Quick-Step, and the Belgian tapped out a solid rhythm, only for a crash to put an end to his time at the front. Crosswinds then split the peloton in the second part of the day, leaving a small but strong group in pursuit of the leaders.
Two-time Gullegem Koerse winner Yves Lampaert, Martin Svrcek and Warre all booked a place in the move that gradually clawed back time and joined the breakaway riders with just a couple of laps to go. It looked like it would all come down to a reduced sprint, but just before the flamme rouge, Svrcek launched a powerful acceleration and put some daylight into the others, carrying that small gap to the finish, where he celebrated Soudal Quick-Step’s fifth victory consecutive victory in Gullegem Koerse.
This was my first kermesse and I enjoyed every single moment of it.
“It was similar to the junior races – attacks from the start and then full gas the entire day. I liked it a lot and I want to do more races like this in the future”, said Martin, who was joined on the podium by Yves, runner-up in Gullegem. “We wanted to win the race and tried to shape it by going on the offensive from the opening lap. In the finale, Yves told me to go if I had the power, and I did just that. I am happy I could bring the win, my first in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey, and I can’t tell you how much this means for me and for my confidence.”
Photo credit: ©Els Deneir
