Greg Van Avermaet: "I used my experience
"I didn't expect to do this result today. I did a good sprint, I am very happy. My legs are not yet at their best but I used my experience to be well placed, which is important in these races. It's a podium on a UCI World Tour race. With Oliver (Naesen) finishing fourth, we're off to a good start in the classics."
Oliver Naesen: "A great day for the team
"We did our best. You always hope for better but Wout Van Aert was too strong today. I had to place Greg (Van Avermaet) for the sprint and I managed to keep his wheel. This 4th place is a little bonus. Two in the top five is a great day for the team. It kicks off the classics season well and is a reward for the work we've done over the last two years."
The number
8
Geoffrey Bouchard finishes 8th in the final overall classification of the UAE Tour. "I am very happy with this first top 10 in a UCI World Tour stage race. I was able to benefit from the team's work all week. I continue to make progress, which confirms my successful 2021 season. I will now take the time to savour and recover before turning to my next goals," said Geoffrey Bouchard.
The news
Clément Champoussin 6th in the Faun-Ardèche Classic
Clément Champoussin took 6th place in the Faun-Ardèche Classic. Lilian Calmejane finished 9th. "The covid-19 last week put a stop to me. The sensations were not great so I saved myself all day. I put everything I had into the last difficulty. For a recovery, it's pretty good, but I hope to get back to the way I felt at the beginning of the season," said Clément Champoussin.
The news
Multiple clavicle fractures for Lawrence Naesen
After a crash in the first kilometers of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Lawrence Naesen will undergo surgery this evening for multiple fractures of the collarbone. The length of his unavailability will be known later. He will be replaced by Stan De Wulf at the start of the Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne race on Sunday.
