September 7/13 13:04 pm - Brussels Cycling Classic

Posted by Editoress on 09/7/13
 

John Degenkolb (Team Argos - Shimano) sprinted to second place in the Brussels Cycling Classic today, missing out on another big victory by the narrowest of margins.

At the end of 197km one-day classic John was pipped to the line by Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) in the bunch sprint finale to this race around Brussels.

The race came back together with seven kilometres to go, however just before this a large crash put several riders out of contention for the finish. One of the riders brought down was Tom Dumoulin (Team Argos - Shimano) meaning John was a rider down for the finish.

At the finish the final 300m were slightly down hill and Greipel just had the edge on such a fast finish over John.

"Today was very stressful," said a disappointed John. "It took quite a while for the break to get away at the start, and then there was a lot of corners and tight roads but that is normal for Belgium and I actually like this type of racing. In the end it was a really hard finish. The team did a really good job especially Roy Curvers (NED) who was really strong in the end and it would have been nice to give something back to them after their hard work.

Coach Addy Engels in Belgium said: "It was a good break for us today. We did our job and helped to bring it back for a bunch sprint. It was a good team race, bringing John into a good position in the final, but Greipel was just faster today.

"Tom D came down in the big crash in the last 10km and we missed him in the finale. He was ok though, no damage done."
Team Argos - Shimano press release

François Parisien (Argos Shimano) helped his German teammate John Degenkolb to clinch second place at the 1.HC cycling race Paris-Brussels.

Germany's Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) won the sprint at the finish of the  197 km route  4:55:58. The Frencman Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) who completed the podium.

"We are really pleased with this result. Sure we would have preferred to win. Especially since we were so close. But we can still be happy with how we raced, "said Parisien who finished 131st, 2 minutes 19 seconds behind the winner.

"The team race leader was designated for Degenkolb, so we worked to protect him. At the halfway point, we had a circuit with laps and really tight. My role was to check that there is no escape from the bunch. I was in front and I was working for the pack to stay together, "said the athlete Bromont.

"At 25 kilometers from the finish, I attacked from the pack to help catch those who were in the breakaway. Once I completed my work, I sat up and my teammates took over. They are well positioned for the sprint by John, "he said.

"From me, the form returns slowly. This is because I intend to go for a good result next week at the Grand Prix of Quebec and Montreal, "said Parisien.

Translated from Sportcom

Results from the Brussels Cycling Classic in Belgium