ProTeam Offensive return to racing at GP La Marseillaise

The new cycling season kicked off at the Grand Prix de La Marseillaise today, in which the team chose for an offensive way of racing. Tim Wellens started the attacks on the early slopes of the Route des Crêtes, the final and decisive ascent of the day. Due to the strong headwind, the 29-year-old Belgian realised that it was too early for an all-out attack and decided to wait. Afterwards, the attacks followed in quick succession until a front group of four took shape, which included Lotto Soudal youngster Andreas Kron. Unfortunately, with the summit in sight, Kron and his breakaway companions were caught. A heavily reduced peloton sprinted for victory in Marseille and it was the Frenchman Paret-Peintre who was the fastest and won the GP de La Marseillaise. Tim Wellens finished as first Lotto Soudal rider in sixth place and comments on an offensive race.

“It was a really nice race today, with a lot of altitude metres and some technical parts”, says Tim Wellens. “I tried to attack on the Route des Crêtes, but due to the strong headwind, I decided to sit up and wait for the chasing group. Andreas Kron did a nice effort and aimed for the win, but unfortunately, the headwind really made it a ‘mission impossible’. At the end, it was a strange sprint in which having the best timing and a little bit of luck turned out to be crucial. But I am happy about my race and the legs definitely feel good.”  

Danish rider Andreas Kron, who rode his first race in Lotto Soudal outfit today, immediately showed his potential. The 22-year-old was part of a four-man breakaway that made an attempt to escape the sprint.

“I really enjoyed my first race in Lotto Soudal colours ”, said Andreas Kron. “We tried to make it a hard race in the end and we aimed for the win. We can be proud of how we raced today, but unfortunately we couldn’t obtain a top result. The headwind played a really important role in the final and made it virtually impossible to stay ahead. Also the teammates of the fast guys in the chasing group were eager to catch us. But hey, if you don’t try, you don’t win right?”, concludes the 22-year-old Dane.

Philippe Gilbert, who became father last week, added: “It was a difficult first race for me, just as I expected. But this gives me the opportunity to do some nice in-race efforts which will definitely help me to further build my shape.” 

Photo credit: Laurent Saccomano - Wallis.fr