March 18/11 17:09 pm - SpiderTech Race Report - Handzame Classic

Posted by Editor on 03/18/11
 

According to Team Director Steve Bauer:

The goals of the team were the same today as in Nokere Koerse two days prior: Be attentive during the first 50 kilometres; don't miss larger breakaway groups, make sure we did not get into trouble on the hilly (Gent Wevelgem) sections of the race and wait for the final sprint to place Lacombe into contention.

The race seemed predictable as it evolved. Four-rider breakaway after 50 kilometres, Omega Pharma and Rabobank eventually putting riders on the front to chase, a regrouping in the final circuit of four laps and bunch sprint to the end.

The final hour of the race got nasty under deteriorating conditions (temperature dropping from 11 to 7 degrees with heavy rain during the last hour). On the final lap of the circuit - when the final breakaway riders were absorbed - we aimed to group our team in front and lead out through the technical, wet turns.

Tuft, Gilbert, Batty and Houle made good efforts to position Keven for the sprint, but it went wrong for him in the final two kilometers and his punch for the sprint was not there today. Substantially tougher events next week with Dwaars door Vlaanderen (Waregem - March 23) and E3 Prijs (Harelbeke - March 26). We will have to be ready for battle.

Full (updated) results were posted earlierHere.