ProTeam Florian Vermeersch concludes strong Ronde van Vlaanderen in 12th place

Lotto Dstny rider Florian Vermeersch has finished a strong 12^th at the end of the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Before the race, the 24-year-old Belgian wanted to anticipate and so he did. It also turned out to be the right move for Vermeersch. He left a strong impression at the front but after a difficult moment on the Kruisberg, he was eventually distanced on the final time Oude Kwaremont. Completely empty, Vermeersch finished in Oudenaarde on a 12^th spot.

At 100 kilometres from the finish, the race really kicked off on the ascent of the Molenberg. Right after the top, Vermeersch bridged to an interesting group, which would later join the early breakaway on Berg Ten Houte, where he found his teammate De Buyst.

With the first duo Oude Kwaremont-Paterberg in sight, the reduced bunch was nearly three minutes behind. On that penultimate ascent of the Kwaremont, the race favourites put in a big attack. Vermeersch had a first difficult moment on the Hotond but he could return to the front in the wheel of Van der Poel-Pogacar. On the final time up the Kwaremont, Vermeersch had to let go for good but the 24-year-old Belgian pushed on and rewarded his strong Ronde with a twelfth spot in Oudenaarde.

Completely empty, Vermeersch reached the finish in Oudenaarde. “I think I never went that deep in a race”, he said right after finishing. “I completely emptied the tank so I have to be happy with this place just outside the top ten. My race started just after the Molenberg. I realised the danger of the strong group riding away so I made the jump together with Pedersen. Eventually it turned out to be the right move. We got a big advantage and I hoped it would be the winning move. For a moment, I thought to be right but eventually only Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogacar could still bridge.”

“I had a hard time on the Kruisberg but I was lucky to return in the wheels of Van der Poel and Pogacar. On the final time Kwaremont, the tank was empty and it was one big solo sufferfest towards Oudenaarde, where I had nothing left. I am really happy to leave the bad luck behind me and in this form, I’ll go to Paris-Roubaix with confidence”, concludes Florian Vermeersch.

Images: Photo News.