Sam Welsford 3rd At Bredene Koksijde Classic

Sam Welsford capped off a strong team performance at the one day Bredene Koksijde Classic to finish in third place, coming from behind to draw level on the line but just running out of road to get his wheel in front.

The race proved to be a hectic one throughout, apart from the early lull in action once the day’s early breakaway of four riders formed, eventually gaining up to six minutes before the gap started to fall under the impetus of the peloton behind. Team DSM were committed to riding for Welsford from the start, keeping him well positioned and out of trouble through the narrow lanes and exposed sections in which crosswinds often threatened to split the peloton.

Small groups formed in these tricky sections, as well as due to crashes in the peloton, but each time the race regrouped at the front. Everything was back together with 40 kilometres to race and from here the peloton was happy to keep the pace high in preparation for a bunch sprint.

The guys rallied well towards the front, positioning themselves ahead of tricky corners and narrow sections before dropping Welsford off in the final kilometre from where he had to come from behind to catch the sprinters ahead of him. Despite being the fastest over the closing metres, he just missed out on taking the win as his front wheel passed the line in third still carrying the speed to take him past the winner just after the line.

After his podium duties, Sam Welsford commented: “Another standard day in Belgium with possible crosswind action and the Kemmelberg twice. We took good initiative and rode the front from early on then set ourselves up for a really good final. In the sprint I ran out of room – I think another 10 metres and it would have been a different result today but I can’t fault the commitment from the guys and the teamwork. We came together really well as a different team and are really happy with how we rode today.”

Team DSM coach Roy Curvers said after the finish: “We did a good race again and rode our own plan today, ready to take the race in our hands. In the final I saw all the guys dedicated to keeping Sam out of trouble and making sure he would be able to sprint with the first guys. I think some minor mistakes were made in the last 1.5 kilometres which meant Sam had to start his sprint from a little far back.

“But when you see the images you see he’s riding the fastest sprint and finished back on the podium. We can be really happy with the process we’re in these past weeks. This, again, is a confirmation that we are doing things right and it comes now to fine tuning and for sure more wins will follow.”