Van Aert again strongest at Heusden-Zolder
Wout van Aert has won at Heusden-Zolder for the third year in a row. On the fast...
Both the men's and women's teams of Team Jumbo-Visma rode the Volta Limburg Classic today. Fem van Empel rode well on her road debut and finished eighth. In the men's race, Team Jumbo-Visma did not play a significant role in a soaking-wet edition of the Limburg race.
Fem van Empel received a lot of attention in Eijsden. At the Volta Limburg Classic, the 20-year-old cyclo-cross world champion made her road racing debut. Two members of the SD Worx team took the lead for a considerable amount of time. The riders of Team Jumbo-Visma controlled the pace of the peloton. As soon as everyone gathered, Mischa Bredewold accelerated. The leader's pursuers were mainly focused on Van Empel. "I did well in the race and had excellent legs, but you also need collaboration. That wasn't the case. Today, I felt like SD Worx was mostly up against me”, the Dutch rider remarked.
Sports director Rutger Tijssen saw the race as a valuable learning experience for the young riders. "We failed to take the initiative ourselves. Simply put, another team was stronger. As a result, we started on the defensive. It was a good learning experience. The riders got a taste of what it is like to be in the final. Fem didn't fully show what she is capable of. Although unfortunate, we can move on."
The men's race got off to a tumultuous start. Johannes Staune-Mittet and Colby Simmons jumped to the leaders after the race was neutralised because the lead group had gone the wrong way. But they had to let go after an acceleration by Eenkhoorn, Van Gils, Herregodts and eventual winner Groves. Once the foursome had opened up a gap, Team Jumbo-Visma no longer played a significant role at the front of the race.
Staune-Mittet was the highest finisher for Team Jumbo-Visma in fourteenth place. Colby Simmons also secured a place in the top twenty. The 19-year-old American finished seventeenth.