A day on the attack for our team.
The Muur-Kapelmuur and the Bosberg in August, cycling fans were treated to this iconic combo on the third stage of the Renewi Tour, one which - as expected - reshuffled the general classification of the World Tour race.
The defining climb of De Ronde for decades, Muur ended up being decisive in the outcome of this third stage, as a pair of riders launched a powerful attack from the thinned out peloton and opened a 45-second gap which the chasers couldn’t erase until the second time up this legendary climb. Of the duo, Jenny Berckmoes (Lotto Intermarche) turned out to be the strongest, taking a solo win just a few seconds ahead of the small bunch.
Pepijn Reinderink was part of that strong chasing group and took ninth place on the lower slopes of the Muur-Kapelmuur, his best result of the season in a World Tour race. The Dutchman wasn’t the only Soudal Quick-Step rider in the spotlight on Friday, both Louis Vervaeke and Martin Svrcek going on the attack in the first part of the stage, the latter being part of the main breakaway that was caught just before things exploded in the bunch.
“I was very motivated to give my best today on this great parcours. We were always positioned quite well at the front during the crucial moments in the middle of the race, then I was able to position myself well on the Muur and keep up nicely with the best. Unfortunately, I held up a bit in one of the last corners; otherwise, there might have been a bit more in it. But all in all, I am satisfied with my performance”, Pepijn said after the finish.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
