The Belgian moved into the yellow jersey after a stunning solo win.
Mauri Vansevenant became the eighth different Soudal Quick-Step rider to win a UCI race this year on the queen stage of the Tour de Luxembourg, held over a relentless parcours between Rosport and Diekrich, which featured eight classified climbs and almost 4000 vertical meters.
It was a day animated from start to finish by our team, Louis Vervaeke going in the early break and remaining there until well inside the final hour of the stage after a mammoth effort that made the peloton chase really hard in order to bring him back to heel. Minutes after he returned in the bunch, Mauri decided to make his move, with only Davide Formolo (Movistar) being capable of following him with 25 kilometers to go.
The magnitude of Vansevenant’s attack helped the duo quickly open a 30-second gap on the pre-stage favourites, who couldn’t reduce their advantage. On the penultimate climb, the Belgian surged clear, only for his companion to come back, while behind them, a strong chasing group pushed the pedal to the metal in the hope of bridging across. It was on the steep Montée de Haemerich that Mauri made the decisive move, dropping Formolo with a big surge and powered to a memorable solo victory, the third of his career.
It was an impressive success for the 25-year-old, who claimed the race’s overall lead, as well as the white jersey. Vansevenant was joined on the podium by two of his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, Pepijn Reinderink – who remained at the top of the climbers’ standings – and Louis Vervaeke, named the most combative rider of the stage.
“I came here after a hard La Vuelta, so I’m not super fresh, but when the engine is running it doesn’t stop. We had a plan for this stage, and after Louis – who did a great effort – was brought back, I said to myself that it was the right moment to go. In the leading group, I had the feeling I was the strongest, so as I still had some power left, I went. When I’m alone, I can keep going, and I’m delighted I could do that today and take this victory. I am motivated and I will give my best in the next two stages”, said Mauri after the team’s perfect Friday – the 52nd time in Soudal Quick-Step’s victory that our squad took two victories on the same day.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
