ProTeam Jenno Berckmoes and Linda Riedmann look ahead to In Flanders Fields

Both the men’s and women’s teams of Lotto-Intermarché will line up tomorrow at the start of the renewed In Flanders Fields: for the men “from Middelkerke to Waregem”, and for our ladies with both start and finish in Waregem. It’s a race Berckmoes, the designated team leader, has fond memories of. “I finished eighth there last year, and we showed some great things back then in what was still Gent-Wevelgem,” he says. “I’m in a good flow: 16th in Omloop, 11th in Milan-Sanremo, 13th yesterday in E3. That top ten hasn’t come yet, I’m not achieving the result I’d really like, but I’m riding very consistently and that gives me confidence.”

For Berckmoes, the new start in Middelkerke will have little impact on the race. “The first 70 kilometers are unfamiliar to me- and probably to most of the peloton- but what follows doesn’t change. The run-in to the hill zone and the plugstreets might be a bit more nervous, with more turns and sections of crosswind, but De Moeren and the Kemmelberg remain the key points. It will be all about being well positioned there and getting through smoothly.”

Lotto-Intermarché will unfortunately have to do without Luca Van Boven in In Flanders Fields. He is ill and, just like in E3, will not be able to start. Arnaud De Lie also had to deal with illness at the beginning of the week. He will take the start, but did not have a smooth preparation and has to adjust his expectations. He mainly approaches In Flanders Fields as a race to continue building towards his spring campaign. With Berckmoes, Lotto-Intermarché still has several cards to play.

Jenno Berckmoes: “We did a reconnaissance in February and are well prepared. The team is also very strong in depth with riders like Jonas Rutsch, Huub Artz, Cedric Beullens, Sebastien Grignard and Steffen De Schuyteneer- who replaces Van Boven. I’m convinced we can show ourselves.”

Women’s team making big steps

Our ladies are also racing In Flanders Fields. With Linda Riedmann, the team has a strong asset at the start. Riedmann finished seventh in Nokere Koerse last week. “In recent years I always had some issue during the winter, which meant I could never show my good form in the spring. For the first time, everything is going well,” says Riedmann. “I’m really curious to see how far that will take me. I’ve also mostly raced in a supporting role, whereas now I get more opportunities. Being able to go for my own result and ride a final is extra motivation. Now the real big tests are coming, but I feel good. The team is strong too, we’re taking big steps.”

Riedmann is aiming for a top ten on Sunday, while remaining realistic. “Everything depends on how the race unfolds, of course. It will be hectic anyway. Heading into the hill zone, it will be crucial to ride well together as a team and stay in the front as much as possible. You have to hope to be well positioned on the Kemmelberg, and at the same time you can never give up. I’ve experienced being poorly positioned on the Kemmel and still making it back to sprint. You just have to keep going, always.”

Picture: Cyclingmedia_agency