109th Scheldeprijs MEN (1.Pro) One day race: Terneuzen>> Schoten (193.8km)
Jasper Philipsen (23) has achieved his first victory in the Alpecin-Fenix shirt in the Scheldeprijs, where he was faster than Deceuninck-Quick Step tandem Sam Bennett and Mark Cavendish, among others. It is the first Belgian victory in Schoten since Tom Boonen in 2006. The 3-times winner of the race Mark was gracious in defeat and told the media “”It was always the intention to ride for Sam (Bennett). Logical, he is the fastest man in the world at the moment. “” My role was to be a kind of vacuum cleaner in his wheel. When Philipsen passed by, I stepped aside to let Sam pass. But in hindsight, I should have reacted faster by going with Philipsen and sprinting myself. I should have responded better to the situation, in any case, I think it’s great to be able to really race in Flanders again. Just race. The difference with six months ago is that this team does believe that I can reach the podium.” Only that victory is still missing. He may be able to achieve that in the Tour of Turkey, which starts on Sunday. “I feel good and I feel so happy in the team. I just miss that victory. Patrick (Lefevere) will not rest until I have it. Especially for him I have to do it”” Sean Nolan and Ben Walsh didn’t finish their first race…they will need race miles to get to return to form.
1st Scheldeprijs Women (UCI 1.1) One day race: Schoten>>Schoten (136.2km)
The Dutch Lorena Wiebes has won the first edition of the Scheldeprijs for women. The 21-year-old Dutch, former European champion, took it in a bunch sprint for the Danish Norsgaard and the Italian Balsamo. Lorena told the media>> My teammates of Team DSM prepared for the sprint very well, but we were a little too early in the lead. I held back for a moment and put myself in the wheel of Norsgaard. And then remonted over her, it worked out nice. I am happy because the pressure to win was great. Now I am building in a rest period, the Ardens classics are not for me << Alice Sharp (Rupelcleaning) was the only Irish girl in the peloton and finished 10 seconds down to the winner Lorena in 65th place, her group had to let the main one go in the last kms….160+ starters and 111 finished the race
