Wisniowski continues momentum with KBK top 10

25 Feb 2018

Wisniowski continues momentum with KBK top 10

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Lukasz Wisniowski completed an impressive Classics Opening Weekend with an eighth place finish at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

Across a chilly 200.1 kilometres the race ebbed and flowed before eventually coming back together for a bunch sprint over two finishing circuits on the streets of Kuurne.
 
Fresh from a runner-up finish at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Wisniowski was shepherded through the closing stages by wingman Michal Golas, before sprinting to a top-10 finish.
 
At one point it looked like the race was going away from the pair, who along with Dylan van Baarle found themselves in the second group on the road after the race had split on the famed Oude-Kwaremont.
 
A crash before the cobbled sector meant the peloton was stretched to breaking point, with a 21-man group forcing their advantage out to just over a minute with 60km to go.
 
Team Sky were forced to keep their powder dry, and when the race finally came back together with 40km to go Wisniowski ensured he was never far from the front of the race.
 
The finish came down to a battle of the fast men, with Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) holding off Arnaud Demare (FDJ) at the line. Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Merida) rounded out the podium places.
Michal Golas

Michal Golas

He’s shown he’s strong and finally he’s getting the results he deserves. It’s a big confidence boost for him I think.
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After the stage Golas was full of praise for compatriot Wisniowski. “It shows his potential,” he told TeamSky.com.
 
“Everybody knew he was strong but it’s the first time he’s really appeared on the results. I’ve seen his performances in the past, which maybe didn’t bring the results. But he’s shown he’s strong and finally he’s getting the results he deserves. It’s a big confidence boost for him I think.”
 
“Today we decided that Dylan should cover the moves, and obviously Lukasz is in great shape so it made sense to give him a chance in the sprint. We moved up pretty well in the last kilometre so he took the final corner in the first five positions. We couldn’t have done more there, and against the pure sprinters here a result like a top 10 is okay. We tried our best.”
 
Sport Director Servais Knaven wrapped up the first two races of the Classics campaign after the dust had settled.
 
“I think in general our guys were able to ride on a good level. It was a decent ride yesterday, and today with the same group that rode yesterday there were some tired riders. We also had some bad luck with Chris (Lawless) which was a shame for him. Someone hit his front wheel and he had to get it changed just before the important part of the race.
 
“And again we saw the Polish guys Lukasz and Michal were really strong in the final. Lukasz was able to get eighth which is good when you consider he was also up there yesterday. It shows he’s really good at the moment which is nice to see.” 
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Overall result:
 
1. Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) 4:51:41
2. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) s.t.
3. Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Merida)
4. Pim Ligthart (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij)
5. Justin Jules (WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic)
8. Lukasz Wisniowski (Team Sky)