German also posts his first win since joining the ProTour
Dominic Klemme used a powerful solo in the end of the GP Samyn to take his first Protour victory. Klemme’s move to reel in lone breakaway rider Kevyn Ista also marked the first win for the new Leopard Trek team. Ista hung on for second while Klemme’s teammate and compatriot Robert Wagner finished the Belgian race in third spot.
The talented youngster was upbeat after the race. “I’m super happy,” Klemme said. He admitted the going got tough in the end. “I had cramps in the final kilometers, but I knew I had to hang in there, because everyone was half dead back in the chase.” Klemme decided he had to go after Ista in order to prevent a solo win by the Belgian.
With the group chasing hard behind, it wasn’t certain the bold move would stick. “I wasn’t sure my attack was going to last until the finish line, but the top of the climb was visible, so I could see the finish all the time.” The finish line was one thing he had in mind, his new team the other. “I was super motivated to win this one for us.”
Björn Leukemans of Vacansoleil seemed to be heading to the win when he escaped from the peloton around 60 km from the finish. But a smaller group of riders got back to him with only six kilometers to go. When Ista escaped from that group with three kilometers to go, he looked like he had the race sown up. But on the final climb to Dour, Klemme caught and passed Ista, when both were already on the finishing straight.
Sport director Lars Michaelsen was obviously very happy with the first win of Leopard Trek. “I asked the riders to stay in the front of the race at all times. We all had our minds set on winning from the first kilometer.” That outlook did not change in the end. “When we reached the local circuit, I asked the team to close the gap on the breakaway group. They were very alert and I have to congratulate them all. We have a lot to be proud of today.”