Vermeersch shines on opening day of the classics season

UAE Team Emirates-XRG enjoyed a solid day across the European early-season calendar, with Florian Vermeersch powering to a third-place podium at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Jan Christen securing a hard-earned second place at the Faun-Ardèche Classic.

The day started well in Belgium, with Florian Vermeersch securing a podium at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The 207.2 km traditional curtain-raiser to the Northern Classics – featured a demanding parcours of cobbled sectors and decisive climbs under rough conditions. Vermeersch rode aggressively throughout the race, positioning himself well in the decisive phases and responding to the sharp accelerations that splintered the peloton. After some selfless work by his teammates he moved off the front on the Molenberg with only Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) able to immediately follow.

Florian Vermeersch : “I’m happy with the result but even happier with my feelings on the bike and the way the team raced. I think the team did an amazing job to get into position before the Molenberg. I was surprised for a moment when Mathieu and I were away together, but I didn’t hesitate for a second. You don’t get many chances like that, and you have to take them.

Naturally, I was thinking about winning, but above all, I wanted to race without regrets. I did that. There’s no shame in Mathieu being the strongest. The start today was 10km from my home so to finish here on the podium after six attempts is very nice. We’ll give it a crack again tomorrow.”

Vermeersch would eventually finished third, crossing the line just behind Van Der Poel and Tim van Dijke (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), and earning a prestigious podium placing in one of cycling’s most historic classics.

Simultaneously in France, Jan Christen delivered a gutsy ride at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, a race known for its challenging roads, punchy climbs, and aggressive racing. The 187.6 km race saw the Swiss talent in very strong company as he came to the line with Matteo Jorgenson (Visma Lease a Bike) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).  UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Swiss rider was active in the action, animating the race before ultimately securing second place, finishing strongly on the line +48” behind Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).

The racing continues tomorrow with Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in Belgium and Faun-Drome in France.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad results

1.Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) 4:53:55

2.Tim Van Dijke (Team Visma Lease a Bike) +22”

3.Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +24”

Faun Ardeche Classic 

1.Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) 4:37:22

2.Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1’48”

3.Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) s.t