Last weekend, Circus-ReUz-Technord concluded its first complete month of competition with a new victory, thanks to Jasper Dejaegher in the Wim Hendriks Trophy and followed by a fifth place of Axel Huens in the prestigious Kattekoers - Gent-Wevelgem U23 the next day.
On Sunday, the wind and cobbles played again a major role in the U23 version of Ghent-Wevelgem. Axel Huens made it into the decisive breakaway just after the Kemmelberg. He was part of a group of eight riders who battled for the victory in Ypres. In the end Huens finished fifth, obtaining his third top ten of the season after Brussels-Opwijk (2nd) and Dorpenomloop Rucphen (6th).
"The positive spiral set by Intermarché-Circus-Wanty in the beginning of 2023 seems to have inspired our U23 riders for their start of the season. Their good impression during our two preparing training camps in Alicante gave me confidence to quickly win a race. But they exceeded y expectations by dominating interclub races after winning our first kermesse race of the season. Our last year U23 riders confirmed their role as road captains, making decisions during the races and guiding our youngest riders. Our first year U23 riders also impressed my with their fighting spirit and even with victories in the case of Alexy Faure-Prost. We are competitive on all terrains, this is encouraging."
"All riders of Circus-ReUz-Technord aim to turn professional and want to show what they're capable of. Each of them will receive opportunities to do that and it is important to communicate it to them. Thanks to tailor-made and individual year plans, they can serenely prepare their races with our trainer Christophe Prémont. They understood that teamwork brings them further individually. Four different riders were already victorious, this proofs that we managed to build a good cohesion. Just like for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, the key to success is our teamspirit and the fun we have together."
"Another advantage for them is that they benefit from the same equipment as the riders of the World Team and regularly train and race with them. This weekend for example, five riders of Circus-ReUz-Technord will race with the pros. This is in my opinion the best way to progress and gain precious experience. Moreover, our U23 riders are not just extras, they contribute to the success of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty. Francesco Busatto achieved a remarkable result in his first race with the World team as he became fourth in the Muscat Classic. In Rucphen, six U23 riders gave everything to enable Laurenz Rex to obtain his first UCI victory in our colors. This example shows how good our teams work together in harmony and form one big family."
"We have a successful month with typical Flemish classics behind the back. In April we'll start a period with races of the Ardennes type. This weekend we participate in the prestigious Circuit des Ardennes, followed by Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23, the Tour of Brittany and Paris-Roubaix U23 in the beginning of May. At the same time, our youngest riders will participate in their first stage race, the Tour du Loir-et-Cher. I'm also looking forward to the start of the season of our cyclocross riders with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, in the Tour of Sicily in case of Thijs Aerts and Gerben Kuypers and in the French races in May in the case of Kevin Kuhn."
« Ghent-Wevelgem was my first main goal of the season, which I prepared well with my trainer and the team. The bad weather conditions gave me an extra motivation, because usually I perform quite well in the rain. The peloton scattered a first time because of the wind in the Moeren and later I was again in the front when eight riders escaped a couple of kilometers after the Kemmelberg. There were many attacks in our group in the final kilometers towards Ypres. I tried with 2 kilometer to go, was countered by the later winner and eventually finished fifth." "After my second place in Brussels-Opwijk and my sixth place in Rucphen, I'm happy that I could show myself again in this prestigious race. It is quite important for me as a last year U23, dreaming about a career as a professional rider. Circus-ReUz-Technord is in the mix for the victory each race and this lifts the whole team. It is nice to see the jersey of our team shine from our first months of existence, thanks to good tactics and our courageous racing style." « I'm proud that I can combine my race programme of Circus-ReUz-Technord with several races in the colors of the WorldTeam. Racing in support of the pros is a privilege and a fantastic learning school. My next race is the Route Adélie de Vitré on Friday. I will then participate in several stage races before Paris-Roubaix U23, an important race in my region."
