ProTeam Florian Vermeersch looks forward to 4th Ronde van Vlaanderen participation

This Sunday 2 April, the Ronde van Vlaanderen means the apotheosis of the Flemish spring Classics season.
Race 31 March 2023

This Sunday 2 April, the Ronde van Vlaanderen means the apotheosis of the Flemish spring Classics season. Between Bruges and Oudenaarde, no less than 270 kilometres of racing awaits, stacked with iconic hills and cobbles like Koppenberg, Kwaremont and Patererg. Lotto Dstny will head to the Ronde with six Belgians: Jasper De Buyst, Sébastien Grignard (who replaces Cedric Beullens due to illness), Arjen Livyns, Frederik Frison, Brent Van Moer and Florian Vermeersch. The Australian Caleb Ewan is the only debutant in the Lotto Dstny seven-rider squad for the Ronde.

Fourth consecutive Ronde for Florian Vermeersch

The 24-year-old Florian Vermeersch is about to start his fourth consecutive time racing the Ronde. He hopes to leave the bad luck of the past weeks behind him and wants to show himself on the Flemish roads as one of Lotto Dstny’s protected riders.

“It’s true that I had quite some bad luck the past races but that’s part of racing on Flemish road, where misfortune is lurking behind every corner’, says Florian Vermeersch. “Now it’s time to fully focus on the Tour of Flanders, which we will start with a strong and motivated team. We are really eager to show ourselves in Flanders’ Finest. Behind the top favourites Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogacar, the field is quite evenly matched I think. Personally, I remain careful in expressing my ambitions but I hope for a top twenty placing. Still there are many riders who are eligible to do so as well.”

Creative racing as code word

Vermeersch is clear about the race tactics of Lotto Dstny. “It is known that not many riders in the peloton are able to match the attacks of the big Three. That is why we can’t wait until let’s say the final time Kwaremont-Paterberg. The only thing is, it’s becoming more and more difficult to anticipate. There aren’t many races left where you can predict how the race unfolds, so we need to be creative. How we we’re going to do that will become clear in the race.”

Course knowledge as an asset

“My big advantage for the Ronde is that I know the Flemish roads by heart. It is a long race with difficult climbs but a good knowledge of the course already gives you an edge. There are many possible race scenarios but I hope to be up there on the attack, play my part in the race and help the team to achieve a good result”, concludes Florian Vermeersch.

Images: Photo News.

In this article