Cycling: Poor but successful - that's how you could describe the cycling team Astana at the moment. The Kazakh team is currently unable to pay the drivers' salaries, but today they clinched their sixth win of the season by winning the Belgian semi-classic Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. With three men they were represented in the end in the first group. Michael Valgren attacked two kilometers from the finish and pulled through as a soloist.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad heralds the classic season
The season of the classics has begun! The phase of the important one-day races traditionally begins with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Even if only a semi-classic was on the program today, many well-known professionals were there to herald the first important part of the season. The neutralization started in Ghent. The sharp start took place a few kilometers further in Merelbeke. After 196,2 kilometers the winner was chosen in Ninove-Meerbeke. At a one-day race as prestigious as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, experience has shown that many riders want to sneak into the leading group. Ten professionals managed to do this today. Participating were from the German-speaking teams of Latvia Alexei Saramotins (Bora-hansgrohe) and the German Marco Mathis (Katusha-Alpecin).
Lotto Soudal acts offensively, Quick-Step Floors defensively
After the Molenberg, Saramontis was able to free himself as a soloist from his meanwhile only four accompanists. Attacks also rained down in the peloton. Also present was last year's winner greg van avermaet (BMC), Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step Floors). But about 40 kilometers from the finish, everything came together again. Of course, some drivers had already dropped out at the back, but a preliminary decision could not be forced. Then the Belgian team Lotto Soudal tried it first with Tim Wellens, then with Tiesj Benoot. Van Avermaet, Stybar and Co. countered Wellens immediately, but Benoot was allowed to go away for more than half a minute. In the still quite large peloton, Quick-Step Floors took over the pace. The classic team has not really gone on the offensive so far, but has only used counterattacks. However, many blue jerseys could still be seen in the field of drivers. With 25 kilometers to go, everything came together again.
Astana three in front
About 15 kilometers before the finish line, it went into the wall of Geraardsbergen. Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale) launched an attack like on his best days. He left the entire group. Only Zdenek Stybar was able to pursue and reestablish contact on the descent. The rest of the professionals sorted themselves behind them. Team Astana was represented three times, but many contenders for the win were already isolated. Nevertheless, the gap was closed once again. The group continued to decimate themselves up the Bosberg. The big losers of the day were already certain: there was no one left in the top group of twelve from Team Lotto Soudal. for was Wout van aert (Veranda's Willems-Crelan) included. The Belgian crosser appeared to capitalize on his chance in the road cyclist spotlight.
Michael Valgren takes advantage of the competition's inaction
It was the last few kilometers. Attacked several times Oliver naesen (AG2R La Mondiale), the despite a broken nose didn't want to do without Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. But the competition knew about his strengths and didn't let him go. He was always brought back. Two kilometers from the finish, Team Astana attacked again. After the attacks by Oscar Gato had previously failed, this time no one responded. Everyone was isolated except Astana. Although the team is suffering from financial problems and no salaries have been paid for weeks, team morale seems to be great. Although tried Sep Vanmarcke to close the gap again, but the Dane was gone. Victory for Michael Valgren and Team Astana! The peloton was able to catch up with the group shortly before the finish line. In second place saved himself Lukasz Wiśniowski (Sky) in front of Sep Vanmarcke. Went as the best German Marcus Burghardt (Bora-hansgrohe) in tenth place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asEtPabsHwo
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