Development Thomas Vuerinckx takes the win in the Wim Hendriks Trofee, with Mathieu Kockelmann finishing strong in second place

The Wim Hendriks Trophy, part of the U23 Road Series, took the riders over a 165-kilometer course. The team once again demonstrated strategic race insight: "We weren't in the first breakaway, so we decided to take control of the race ourselves," said Mathieu Kockelmann.

"On the cobbled section, we launched an attack as a team by pushing hard," said Thomas Vuerinckx. "In the end, we got away with a group, including four Lotto riders, and closed the gap to the leading group. I then decided to make an attack myself to thin out the group." When Thomas Vuerinckx launched his attack, Kockelmann immediately reacted and went with his teammate. The duo broke away with a small group and worked well together towards the finish. "The fact that we finished it off, taking first and second place, is truly special. This is a result that we, as a team, can really be proud of," said Vuerinckx.

With the major races still ahead, this victory provides extra motivation for the upcoming challenges. "If we can keep this going, it could be a fantastic season," said Kockelmann.

Photo: Brecht Steenhouwer