Brussels Cycling Classic

Svrcek animates Brussels Cycling Classic

Five days after powering to his first victory as a Soudal Quick-Step rider at a great edition of Gullegem Koerse, Martin Svrcek put in another great effort, this time at one of the oldest races in the world, the Brussels Cycling Classic.

The fact that the route featured some of cycling’s most iconic climbs – Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg – didn’t stop the 21-year-old Slovak from launching one of the first attacks of the day, which resulted in a five-man breakaway forming pretty soon after. Martin had an important contribution to this group, staying clear until 60 kilometers to go, when the race exploded on the hilly part of the course.

Moments after catching the breakaway, some teams upped the tempo and forced a selection, the peloton getting split into smaller groups. Once the last ascent was left behind, it all came back together, and everything pointed to a bunch sprint in Brussels. However, around 15 kilometers from home, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) attacked and Martin Svrcek joined him. In the blink of an eye, the duo built a 20-second gap over a peloton who looked incapable of reacting.

Martin tapped out a strong tempo, but with two kilometers to go he began paying for the amazing effort he had put in the entire day, and was dropped from the move and reeled in by the bunch. The Norwegian went on to take the win, just a couple of seconds ahead of the chasers, while Yves Lampaert was the first Soudal Quick-Step rider home.

“Today was a good day. I jumped right from the start so that we forced the others to do the work. We put in a good effort in the breakaway, but the others brought us back. I continued to feel good, so when Jonas Abrahamsen attacked, I went with him and did my best, but I was already on the limit. The race was two kilometers too long for me, but I am happy with the way I rode and the fact I felt good today”, said Martin after the race.

Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images