The GP Stad Zottegem was on the Wanty-Groupe Gobert menu today. Bjorn Leukemans, Frederik Backaert, Tom Devriendt, Tim De Troyer, James Vanlandschoot, Kévin Van Melsen, Kevin Callebaut and Robin Stenuit lined up for this UCI 1.1-race. Tom Devriendt tells his story of the race. 

“In the beginning there were continuous attacks but nobody managed to break away. Frederik Backaert and I were very active in these short, but unsuccesful attacks. After a while a group of 27 riders including myself and Kevin Callebaut broke away. The cooperation wasn't super but we had to keep riding because the gap was never big.  

"In the final the breakaway split and 14 riders remained including me and Kevin. The course was a tough one and there was a lot of wind. I might have not raced smartly by countering many attacks myself. Towards the finish I felt I was getting weaker because I had been racing at the front for most of the race.  

"When the decisive move was made, four riders attacked, nobody really reacted. I tried once to bridge but immediately felt that I wouldn't make it to the front. After that it was attack after attack. In the demanding final five kilometres I wanted to secure a top ten position, also to reward the team, and that's where I wasted too much energy. In the sprint I couldn't do anything. My legs were completely empty. A 17th place is a big disappointment because my form is good." 

For stagiaire Kevin Callebaut, who hails from Zottegem, it was a special day.

“It went really well today but I also have mixed feelings about the race. In the final five kilometres I got cramps and got dropped. At one kilometre from the line the peloton passed me. I finish 67th instead of getting a nice top 20. Riding through Zottegem was really special though. There were many people cheering me on and that gave me goosebumps."