Remco Evenepoel and Casper Pedersen were among the Soudal Quick-Step riders who finished on the podium Sunday afternoon.
Almost two dozen Soudal Quick-Step riders were involved in eight different races at the Road Race National Championships on the last weekend of June, and they ended up bringing four more medals to the six already won in the time trial events.
In Belgium, Remco Evenepoel was one of the strongest riders out there, forcing a selection with more than 200 kilometers to go before things eventually calmed down and a 16-man group featuring Ilan Van Wilder jumped clear. More than 80 kilometers from the finish, they were caught and a new leading move formed, this time comprising both Remco and his teammate.
The race remained a lively one, and the double Olympic Champion continued showing his intentions, as he put the hammer down in order to thin out the group, which was numbering just six men 40 kilometers from the finish. That was when Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) launched an attack and opened a gap. Evenepoel tried to counter and reduce the margin separating them, but with no help from the others, the advantage of the leader increased to almost one minute.
In the end, Soudal Quick-Step’s 25-year-old Belgian rode everyone else off his wheel and took silver in Binche, where the National Championships returned after seven years, for what was his third medal in five participations.
“I did all that I could do today, but there were some weird tactics from the others. It’s frustrating to see the other riders refusing to collaborate despite finding ourselves in a good position. Of course, I’m disappointed, because second isn’t what I came for, but I don’t have to be the one doing all the work every time. It was a hard race and a good preparation for the Tour, to which I’m now looking forward”, Remco explained at the finish.
Despite being alone and outnumbered 3-1 in the closing part of the race in Denmark, Casper Pedersen put in a huge effort to claim bronze in Aalborg for his first ever medal at the Nationals. It was another strong result after a demanding day in the saddle for the 27-year-old, who in the first part of the season impressed on the cobbles of Harelbeke, where he took fourth place.
“It was a really hard edition this year, mainly due to the wind, which turned this into an attritional race. Echelons made an appearance in the opening 30 kilometers, when I found myself in the second part of the bunch, but we managed to come back. It was also difficult because some teams had a lot of riders, but I somehow got away in the final laps with a couple of riders. I dropped some of them, but then I found myself between two guys from the same team. I am not disappointed, because I know I did my best. It’s a medal that makes me happy and gives me more confidence that one day it’s possible to win the jersey”, an upbeat Casper said after the race.
The big surprise of the day came in Italy. Gorizia, the charming city lying between Trieste and Venezia, returned as the finish of the race for the first time since 2006, when Paolo Bettini took home the title for the Wolfpack from a reduced sprint. This time, after an eventful 230km race, it was Thomas Pesenti who was in the mix for a top place. The 26-year-old Italian, a member of our Devo Team, produced a remarkable ride on the course whose main highlight was the hard San Floriano del Collio climb to take an incredible bronze behind winner Filippo Conca (Swatt Club).
“I’m happy with this result, both for myself and the team, but I’m also a bit disappointed, having come so close to victory. The circuit wasn’t very hard, but the climb had a one-kilometer part which was very steep, and that’s where the race exploded. When the peloton split, I found myself chasing, but found the resources to come back. There was a lot of attacking in the finale, but despite some riders gaining time, we kept the race together, and arrived with this small group in the finale. I gave everything there, and as I said, I’m a bit disappointed because this has been a great opportunity, but at the same time, I think it’s nice to be on the podium for the first time in my career at the National Championships”, Thomas said after the ceremony.
Martin Svrcek joined Remco Evenepoel as the only two Soudal Quick-Step riders to win a medal this week in both races, time trial and road, braving the scorching heat that only added to what already was a difficult race in Slovakia. Third a couple of days ago, the 22-year-old left everything out there on his way to an impressive silver medal in Banovce nad Bebravou.
“The race was a demanding one and the hot temperatures didn’t make things any easier. A group of 35 went clear in the beginning, and on the last lap, when the attacks came, I tried to do my best. One rider was stronger today, but I’m happy with my result and with being on the podium. I had good legs today and this makes me confident for the second part of the season”, a smiling Martin said.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
