Cycling: The Le Samyn one-day race is not included in the UCI WorldTour cycling calendar. But it is always a real endurance test. It was over 200 kilometers through Wallonia today – in freezing cold and with a strong headwind. It was the right place and, ahead of the big classics, the right time to make a statement. The Quick-Step Floors team did just that today. With a double victory for Niki Terpstra in front of Philippe Gilbert, the Belgian team Le Samyn dominated.
Quick-Step Floors makes an exclamation mark
The Quick-Step Floors team impressively dominated the tough one-day race Le Samyn and once again proved that they are the best classic team in the world. The Belgian team made a decision relatively early on. Philippe Gilbert and Niki Terpstra, two protégés, were quickly represented in the first group, which together with Damien Gaudin (Direct Energie), Tosh Van der Sande (Lotto Soudal) and Alex Kirsch (WB-Verandaclassic Aqua Protect) was only five men big.
Terpstra and Gilbert play with Gaudin
Behind them, a group formed around Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Adrien Petit (Direct Energie) and Gediminas Bagdonas (AG2R La Mondiale). Many kilometers before the finish line, it was already clear that the peloton would not be able to make it all the way to the front. When Philippe Gilbert and Niki Terpstra, together with Damien Gaudin, were able to shake off their two companions, the course was set for success. After an attack by Terpstra, he was able to bring home the win. Gilbert let Gaudin do the work, only to eventually abandon him as well. So the duel between two riders from Quick-Step Floors against a man from Direct Energie went in favor of the blue ones this time. At La Drome Classic it looked different on Sunday.