Star-studded field for non-UCI race includes Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert
Matteo Trentin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) took his first ever professional victory, as he outsprinted teammate Guillaume Van Keirsbulck at the finish of the Gullegem Koerse. The two riders escaped from a front group of nine riders on the final lap of the circuit race on the outskirts of Kortrijk, Belgium. Despite being a non-UCI race, and run under the Belgian Cycling Federation (KBWB/RLVB), there were five UCI ProTeams present, with stars that included Trentin’s teammate Tom Boonen, and Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing).
“It was a fast race, with a lot of attacks immediately from the beginning,” Trentin explained. “Immediately after the start there was a break with Iljo Keisse. Then, there were attacks, counter attacks, and another break formed with Van Keirsbulck. I entered in this break with Tom Boonen and the others. There were about 15 or 17 riders and we worked well together. Lap after lap, we lost some riders. With two laps to go, we had nine riders left.”
Those nine rides included a fourth Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider, in the shape of Iljo Keisse, along with Kenny Dehaes and Tosh Van Der Sande of rival team Lotto-Belisol, Klaas Lodewyck (BMC Racing), James Vanlandschoot (Accent.jobs-Willems Verandas), and former Belgian champion Stijn Devolder (Vacansoleil-DCM).
“At 7km from the finish, I attacked,” continued Trentin. “I went alone, and behind me Van Keirsbulck attacked. He caught me 3km from the finish. Guillaume arrived on my wheel and then at the sprint, I won.
“For me, it’s a great satisfaction,” he said of his first victory as a professional. “I won a race here in Belgium near our headquarters — the headquarters of the team near our sponsors. So, it was something nice because at each race in Belgium, there is a big public that cheers and supports our team. It was fantastic, and even though the first part of the season I think I did a good job, I know this victory is something special. It is something I will never forget. Your first professional victory is something you can’t forget.”
“Now, I will go home and recover a bit,” Trentin added. “The next step will be the Tour de Suisse, and then after there will be the national championships, which take place on the road of my hometown. I really would like to do something good over there.”
Result Gullegem Koerse
1. Matteo Trentin (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
2. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
3. Kenny Dehaes (Bel) Lotto-Belisol
4. Klaas Lodewyck (Bel) BMC Racing Team
5. Iljo Keisse (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
6. Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
7. Tosh Van Der Sande (Bel) Lotto-Belisol
8. James Vanlandschoot (Bel) Accent.jobs-Willems Verandas
9. Stijn Devolder (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM
10. Andy Cappelle (Bel) Accent.jobs-Willems Verandas