Team Visma | Lease a Bike endures unlucky day at Duracell Dwars door het Hageland
Team Visma | Lease a Bike was unable to challenge for a top result at the Duracell Dwars door het Hageland. Team leader Matthew Brennan was plagued by misfortune early in the race, and later Tosh Van der Sande, who was in a promising position, also suffered mechanical issues.
In the 13th edition of the Belgian classic, the race split open early on. With 110 kilometers to go, the first cracks began to appear in the peloton on the tough gravel sections. Brennan initially positioned himself well near the front, but eventually lost significant time due to bad luck.
Meanwhile, a dangerous breakaway managed to go clear, while Loe van Belle and Tosh Van der Sande represented the yellow-and-black squad in the chasing group. Van der Sande looked poised to bridge across to the leaders, but the Belgian too was hampered by mechanical problems. In the end, it was Paul Magnier who proved strongest in Diest.
"I’m still proud of how we raced today"
“It was a very hot day out there,” Van Belle reflected. “Cedric (Keppens), Tomos (Pattison), and Dan (McLay) did a great job early on, which allowed Matthew, Tosh, and me to be well positioned in the crucial early phases and race from the front.”
Brennan eventually had to abandon after two crashes and a puncture, leaving Van Belle and Van der Sande at the front. “Tosh and I rode a solid race. It's a pity Tosh flatted while in a good position, and I also punctured shortly after. Without that, I might have been in contention for a top-ten finish. That’s a bit frustrating, but I’m still proud of how we raced today.”
