Team dsm-firmenich PostNL’s Development program were back in action today for the U23 version of Gent – Wevelgem. Taking on the same challenging Kemmelberg climb and cobbles, like the Men’s race, on paper it was set to be a hard afternoon as they fought it out to to the finish in Ieper.
It was a fast and frenetic race with no real breakaway allowed to form out front. Instead, it became a race of attrition with riders going out the back. Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL rallied around each other well and kept fast finisher Vlad Van Mechelen safe, who made it over the final ascent in a larger front peloton. Unfortunately, one rider was able to escape to take the win with a strong solo, while behind Van Mechelen was positioned well for the sprint, and gave it his best to the line; claiming a good sixth place for the team on the day.
Van Mechelen said: “We were hoping for a more selective race but in the end it ended up being a very closed race with no real breakaway. There was still a big group racing together going into the final; for which the boys set me up well. With one guy up the road it was a race for second place and in the end we got sixth place.”
