Race report direct from DS Johnny Weltz

“The race turned out to be just as hard as expected. We really wanted a group to go from the start. We tried hard to make it happen, but a strong tailwind made the pace too fast for anyone to go.”

“As we got close to first feed zone, things started to get really nasty. It started to snow!!! There were several crashes due to the weather and the crosswind section before the cobbles. Mike Friedman was involved in a crash and had to get a new bike.”

“For a while, we had most of our guys at the front of the race. The elimination was from behind as the front group got smaller and smaller. With 30 km to go, we still had Maggy, Tyler and Martijn up front.”

“In the end, Martijn turn out to be stronger and stronger as the race progressed. He finished with the first big group. 12th in his first Ronde Von Flandren is very impressive!”

“Maggy didn’t want to risk too much today with next Sunday being his big goal. But already, he was in the front group for 230 km. That shows he is ready for Roubaix.

Slipstream results
1. Stijn Devolder 6:24′02″

12. Martijn Maaskant +21″
43. Magnus Backstedt +9′14″
54. Tyler Farrar +9′14″
82. Ryder Hesjedal +17′35″