Once again, CULT Energy Pro Cycling fearlessly demonstrated aggressive riding during today’s Belgian semi-classic Dwars door Vlaanderen where both Martin Mortensen and Alex Kirsch represented the team in the breakaway. In the finale, a surprise attack led to victory for Jelle Wallays (Topsport-Vlaanderen).

The Cult Energy Pro Cycling riders were eager to find the right constellation of riders to form today’s breakaway but it took a long time before the peloton agreed to let it go. Getting near the finale, CULT Energy’s Martin Mortensen was in the breakaway and teammate Alex Kirsch eventually bridged the gap but the pressure from the top favorites behind was relentless.

Ultimately, they were brought back and a new race could begin with 70 kilometers to go. Here, a quartet with world champion, Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quick Step) was leading the race while being chased by Lars Boom (Astana) but a sudden crash on the treacherous surface put Boom out of contention.

With Kwiatkowski in the front of the race, BMC and Lotto-Soudal were forced to pull in the chase group of eleven riders but the quartet made it to the red kite where Jelle Wallays (Topsport-Vlaanderen) surprised the group by going solo. As his former breakaway companions didn’t agree on catching him, Wallays took a stunning surprise victory. Behind, Cult Energy Pro Cycling’s Troels Vinther and Michael Reihs represented the team in the remains of the main pack.

After the race DS Luke Roberts made this comment:

“The boys executed the plan very well as we wanted to be represented in the early breakaway, which was our chance of making it into the finale. But it took about 80 kilometers before the bunch let them off the hook and Martin made a huge effort to get in there. As the group was getting reeled in by the peloton, Alex bridged across and he didn’t need much more power to make it into the finale with the race winner. So overall I’m happy about the effort as they were sticking to the plan."

CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Martin Mortensen says:

"I really wanted to get out there in the break and actually, the break went without our representation After a glance at Fabian (Wegmann) who nodded in my direction, I went for it. I bridged a gap of one minute and naturally, the effort drained me a bit. When Alex eventually made it across as well, I gave what I had in the front of the group and dropped back. We gave it our best shot and I feel stronger and stronger for every race. I wished I was a little bit stronger in Nieuwsblad but now I think, the form is coming along. That gives me reason for optimism before next week's Three days at Panne."