ProTeam Kobe Goossens returns to competition at Flèche Brabançonne

The Flèche Brabançonne will be the first race for Lotto Soudal rider Kobe Goossens after crashing out of Paris-Nice. During the finishing climb of stage four, the 24-year-old Belgian crashed into a team car and incurred a slight concussion, a broken nose and several broken teeth. With also several wounds on his face that needed stitching, the consequences were quite big. Following about ten days of rest and an altitude training camp in Spain, Kobe Goossens is now ready to pin on a number again.

“Unfortunately, the season didn’t start as I had planned. Going into Paris-Nice, I was in good shape, until that crash at the end of stage four spoiled the party”, begins Kobe Goossens. “The impact was quite big and I really had to push the reset button. I had some ten days off the bike, mainly to recover from the slight concussion I sustained. Afterwards, I went to the Sierra Nevada for an altitude training camp, which was originally planned to prepare for the Tour de Romandie and the Giro. Now, I will race the Ardennes Classics instead of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, where I was initially supposed to resume competition.”

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For the 24-year-old Goossens, his return to competition will be even more special as the young Belgian will be racing on home soil at the Flèche Brabançonne.

“Following a good training period of about two weeks, I am really looking forward to racing again. It will also be a rather special first participation at the Flèche Brabançonne, because I know the area of Overijse and Leuven pretty well. To be racing on your training course is always something special. Sometimes, the home advantage allows you to know exactly when it’s time to move up to the front. It definitely is a nice bonus, but I’ll still have to pedal just as hard”, jokes Kobe Goossens.

The Flèche Brabançonne traditionally marks the end of racing on the cobbles and the beginning of the hilly Classics. With over 25 hills to conquer, the riders are once again presented with a challenging course. The final climb of the ‘Schavei’ towards the finish was replaced by a wider home stretch with more gentle gradients.

“The slightly altered final may have an impact on the race, but it will still remain a tough day in the saddle. We don’t have an absolute spearhead in our line-up, but during the past spring Classics Tosh Van der Sande has already shown to be in good shape. Personally, it will be important to regain the race rhythm and to be of added value for the team. I already felt good during training, but it’s always difficult to know how the body reacts to racing. I also read that the Moskesstraat was resurfaced. To be honest, I always avoid that hill during my training rides… Of course, the changes will make it a little less authentic, but I’m definitely not complaining”, concludes Kobe Goossens with a wink.

Picture: Photo News.