Samyn Classic: Magnier gets closer, Wiebes closer to a century, Back in Belgium

 

Lorena Wiebes edges closer to a landmark 100th pro win. The European champion sprinted to a 97th victory of her career at Le Samyn des Dames.

“We went to the final with one rider less, but my teammates were able to push me off well each time. I also tried to pull through on the cobblestones, since I had good legs. I felt ready for the sprint. I also like it when the finish is a bit uphill.”

-Lorena Wiebes 

Paul Magnier racked up his fifth top three finish since the beginning of the year by taking runner-up at Le Samyn. The Frenchman, who came at the start just three days after climbing on the podium of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, rode another great race, this time in Wallonie, where the course comprised many cobblestone sectors and rolling roads.

"I'm one of Mathieu van der Poe's biggest fans so I'm happy with this result. It's already a dream that I race against him. He was the strongest, whereas I suffered a bit after those hard and hectic final kilometers. It was a good race from the whole squad and an important experience for myself. I want to thank the team, because it was due to their excellent work that I was positioned the entire day, both on the cobblestones and in the final kilometer. Of course, I would have loved to win, but it's still a good result before my first World Tour stage race of the season, Tirreno-Adriatico."

-Paul Magnier