Visma | Lease a Bike sports director says Omloop ‘surprise factor’ is gone — and gives Brennan update

Laporte was forced to put a foot down behind a crash involving Rick Pluimers on the Molenberg, and that moment effectively ended his chances of victory. “The rain and the wind made it extremely tough. Still, as a team we were always well positioned. The Molenberg was a crucial climb,” he said in Visma | Lease a Bike’s race report.

“I was perfectly placed and I felt strong, but unfortunately I was held up by a rider who went down. I had the feeling I could have fought for the podium. In the chasing group we worked well together and we came close again. In the end, fourth place was the highest achievable in these conditions,” Laporte explained.

In the finale he even managed to force his way clear from the chase to secure fourth in Ninove. “I’m happy I could still give the team a nice placing today. After a season full of bad luck last year, it’s good to be able to show myself again in races like this. I missed the atmosphere along these Flemish roads. I’m looking forward to the next races on my programme, starting with Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne on Sunday.”

Wynants then gave his assessment as the sports director on duty. “We started here to race for the win, but looking back, Christophe’s fourth place is a good result. The race was calm for a long time, but towards the finale the crashes came one after another at high speed,” he said.

“Last year we struggled with positioning, but this time it was good — and that’s something we have to take confidence from. Our riders were on the Molenberg exactly where they needed to be, so it’s a real shame Christophe was held up right there. Matthew also crashed hard. He was able to make it to the medical car under his own power, and for now that’s the main thing,” said the Belgian, hoping Brennan can be back at full strength for Kuurne on Sunday.

After that, the fight for the win was effectively decided. “Those moments were decisive, but that’s racing. It’s a chain reaction of all kinds of things, but of course that moment on the Molenberg was crucial. We were in position there, and I think the young guys did that really well. Per Strand Hagenes, for example, was very strong,” Wynants added.

“We then did everything we could to limit the damage, but it was also difficult to put Laporte on the front and start riding. The guys who were still there did do that. We hoped Vermeersch would keep something in the tank at the front, but that’s hoping for others — you’re not the deciding factor yourself.”

Finally, Wynants noted that the “surprise factor” Visma | Lease a Bike were sometimes able to use in Omloop in previous seasons is now largely gone. “Where two years ago we made the difference early in the race, now everyone is on the appointment. In a race like Omloop that becomes harder and harder: everyone knows where it can happen.”