255 kilometers of pure hell, dirt roads and war. The World Championship Road Race in Colombia is everything you could expect of it. We're in for a rough day.
It is our first year with the new (well, his second term) National Coach: José De Cauwer! After the fiasco last year, he was appointed as new National Coach. This year, we didn't bring a team of leaders. Instead, we have a team resolving around 1 clear leader, Jan Bakelants. I have been given a free role.
LIVE Coverage Commentary by Michel Wuyts & Sven Nys
Good morning, welcome here in Colombia for the World Championship Road Race. I am Michel Wuyts and next to me is Sven Nys. Sven, how is the retirement going?
It's going great. I'm keeping busy, still very involved in cyclo-cross and cycling.
Are you ready for this big event? Who is your favorite for today?
That's a tough question. I think Nairo Quintana or Uran will want to show something for the home crowd.
Let's listen to a few favorites this morning.
Peter Sagan: I've been dreaming about this race since I was little. This is a great profile and I think this year may be the year for me.
Jan Bakelants: The last few months have all been for today. I feel pretty good, got a good night's sleep. The team is ready and I just want to get this show on the road!
Carlos Betancur: We'll have an exciting and open race. I will try to make the race early on.
Silvio Herklotz: It's really too bad the finish isn't uphill, I would've had a better chance then. But I'll guess we'll have to make the most of it. I share leadership with Dominik today.
We'll see an open race today, many favorites, even more outsiders. So what do you think about the Belgian squad today, Sven?
It's a good squad. It's clear who's leader and who's here to help. Bakelants should have a real chance here today.
We're about ready for the start. Let's hope for an exciting race with a Belgian winner. Last year we were close, with Vleminckx. Let's do better now.
And we're off! Everyone will want a man in the break, and it's our very own Chevalier who's opening the race.
A very good rider, perfect team mate. You can count on him getting in that break if you tell him to.
More and more riders are making the jump forward now. It looks like we'll have a big breakaway group.
With the break gone, the peloton is picking up the pace. They're taking it easy for the moment. We still have more than 220 kilometers to go and a lot of climbing to do.
The breakaway is on the first climb. The biggest names present are Kristoff, Vichot and Simon Clarke. Both the climb and the downhill are dirt roads. Does this have a place in modern cycling, Sven?
I don't see any problem. But it will have an impact on the race, for sure. Especially in the downhill. We'll see guys like Stybar taking much more risks. We'll also have our share of flat tires.
The pace is going up now. The Netherlands are taking control. For who are they riding? Mollema or Kelderman?
I think today is for Mollema.
And here we get a first glimpse of Matthias Vleminckx, consulting with Jelle Vanendert. He's been awfully quiet about this World Championship, almost invisible. Does he have a chance today?
That's a tough question. Usually I'd say the profile is too hard for him. But the length and the dirt roads play into his hands. He's gotten a free role, I don't know. I mainly think he learned his lesson from last year.
What do you mean?
He was going on about the World Championship all year and in the end he got beaten in the sprint by Stybar. I can imagine that must hurt, he won't make that same mistake.
I guess you can imagine what it must feel like to lose a World Championship to Stybar, Sven.
The one-but-last climb here in Duitama! The Netherlands are leading the ranks. The breakaway is 30 seconds in front!
The pace is fairly high, The Netherl -- And we have an attack! Peter Sagan goes for glory!
We see some reaction, we don't see any Belgian, though.
He went too fast, I think. He's already regretting his attack!
We're racing towards the final climb now. We have a leading group of about 8, with the peloton following closely. Sven, what do our boys need to do?
It's clear. They need to catch the attackers before the final climb. Some of our guys can put in a final effort here, but uphill they'll be useless.
Well, I think they heard you. The Belgian squad is hunting down Peter Sagan, who's doing all the work at the front.
We're at the final climb now! Sagan and his comrads have been caught. It's Jantje Bakelants who's leading the peloton on the uphill now.
The peloton is breaking up massively now!
Riders are falling off the back left and right. Who is still here? Wait, is that...?
Matthias Vleminckx! He's coming to the front.
How is he still here? This is very impressive. We still have a kilometer to the top. If he can hang on, he has a big shot here! Amazing riding from Vleminckx here!
Herklotz looks ready to attack. But he's waited too long now, they're at the top! Just a descend now and we can sprint for the Rainbow Jersey!
Jan Bakelants leaves a gap. Wait a minute! Vleminckx takes two meters, three. Sven, he's attacking here!
And why not? It's downhill, it's a dirt road, this is all to his advantage!
Sagan looks to Nibali for the reaction, but he just looks back. They're hesitating! This is important!
He could easily wait for the sprint but he's making his move here, it's impressive. He's gaining time!
What the hell are they doing here? He's gone, Sven. Vleminckx is off, he's away!
The red flag. He's in the clear, Vleminckx is going to take this!
Peter Sagan wins the sprint for the second place, and Bakelants puts the icing on the cake and gets on the podium next to Vleminckx!
How about that? Unbelievable, Matthias Vleminckx, World Champion 2017! But in what manner, unbelievable. This is The King on his very best.
I don't think anyone has seen this coming. Last year he was the clear favorite and he couldn't fulfill the expectations, this year he does the total opposite. What a ride from him today.
We have Renaat with the new World Champion! Let's listen.
The new World Champion is laying down on the tarmac here, he's obviously totally empty, out of breath. I'll try to fire a few questions, he's sitting up now.
Matthias Vleminckx, World Champion!
I can't believe it. I'm so exhausted, my legs are like pudding, but I don't care. It's amazing, not in my wildest dreams did I expect this when I woke up this morning. Everyone is dying to know, tell us abot your race, how did you do it?
Last year, I spend months preparing for the World Championship. This year, I didn't see myself having a big chance here, but I wanted to go for it anyway. I did some off the radar training, without the stress of the media around me. In the Giro I felt I could survive a few climbs fairly well if I'm in top shape. Then I saw the documentary about Museeuw's World Championship and I said: that's the way to do it. So at every climb you started at the front and by the top you were at the back?
Precisely. I saved a lot of energy that way, just dropping back gradually and coming back to the front in the downhill. I saved all my energy for the final two climbs. On the final climb, Bakelants dictated the pace. Did you two talk?
Yes, we did. I told Bakelants I could win today. That was between the two last climbs. He said: "okay", and made the pace to avoid attacks. I can't thank him enough for his sacrifice today. I'm forever in his debt! What will this jersey change for you?
It changes everything. In a way I'm happy I can give Orica - GreenEdge this jersey as a goodbye. I've had four amazing years here and this is the perfect goodbye. About that, we heard rumours that a contract has been signed? Where will we see the Rainbow colors next season?
Well, I guess now is as good a time as ever. This won't come as a surprise, I have signed a two-year contract with Omega Pharma - Quickstep. I'm coming home! Enjoy the rest of the day, Matthias. Congratulations.
Who would've thought it? He did a Museeuw. That's smart racing. Let's look at the full result here.
Result
1
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
7h21'51
2
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
+ 56
3
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Moreno Moser
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Daniel Martin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
7
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Carlos Betancur
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Silvio Herklotz
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Simon Yates
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1'55
12
Rigoberto Urán
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
13
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
14
Romain Bardet
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
15
Warren Barguil
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
16
Thibaut Pinot
TEAM Vittel - Nestlé
s.t.
17
Beñat Intxausti
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
18
Rui Costa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
19
Chris Froome
Team Sky
s.t.
20
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Richie Porte
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
22
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Ion Izagirre
Movistar Team
s.t.
24
Pierre Rolland
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
25
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Andrew Talansky
Catalunya
s.t.
27
Lukas Pöstlberger
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Matej Mohorič
Adria Mobil
s.t.
29
Olivier Chevalier
Crédit Agricole
s.t.
30
Tim Wellens
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
31
Nik Bozic
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
32
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
33
Ben Hermans
TEAM Soleco
s.t.
34
Jelle Vanendert
ASUS
s.t.
35
Jakob Fuglsang
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
36
Simon Spilak
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
37
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
38
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
s.t.
39
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
40
Michael Matthews
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
41
Robert Gesink
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
42
Mathieu Van der Poel
Development Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
43
Alex Howes
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
44
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
45
Sébastien Reichenbach
Euskadi
s.t.
46
Zdenek Stybar
ASUS
s.t.
47
Alexander Kristoff
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Silvan Dillier
TEAM Cube
s.t.
49
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
50
Arthur Vichot
Madison Genesis
s.t.
51
Charlie Pearce
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
52
Max Kroes
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Matthias Frank
Colombia
s.t.
54
Joshua Edmondson
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
55
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Lars Petter Nordhaug
RusVelo
s.t.
57
Fabio Aru
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Rafal Majka
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
59
Dominik Nerz
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
60
Peter Kennaugh
TEAM Cube
s.t.
61
Adam Yates
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
62
Davide Villella
Cannondale
s.t.
63
Thomas Löfkvist
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
64
Andrea Manfredi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
65
Sergio Henao
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'56
66
Daryl Impey
TEAM Cube
s.t.
67
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
68
Michael Valgren
Cult Energy Vital Water
s.t.
69
Nathan Earle
Drapac Pro Cycling
s.t.
70
Simon Clarke
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
71
Peter Velits
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
72
Leopold König
Catalunya
s.t.
73
Tom Dumoulin
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Tiago Machado
OFM - Quinta da Lixa
s.t.
75
Bakhtiyar Kozhatayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
76
Stefan Denifl
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Mikel Landa
Movistar Team
s.t.
78
Jan Polanc
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Joseph Dombrowski
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
80
Thomas De Gendt
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
81
Gianfranco Zilioli
LA Alumínios - Antarte
s.t.
82
Julian de Groote
La Bota
s.t.
83
Joel Zangerle
SES Astra
s.t.
84
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
85
Ian Stannard
La Bota
s.t.
86
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
+ 5'47
87
Matthew Goss
ASUS
s.t.
88
Rohan Dennis
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
89
Ian Bibby
TEAM O2
s.t.
90
John Degenkolb
TEAM Cube
s.t.
91
Ian Boswell
Team Sky
s.t.
92
Lars Boom
Movistar Team
s.t.
93
Michal Golas
IAM Cycling
s.t.
94
Luis León Sánchez
Catalunya
s.t.
95
Bob Jungels
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
96
George Preidler
ASUS
s.t.
97
Niki Terpstra
FDJ.fr
s.t.
98
Esteban Chaves
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
99
Yury Trofimov
Team Katusha
s.t.
100
Julian Kern
TEAM Cube
s.t.
101
Miguel Rubiano
Colombia
s.t.
102
Axel Domont
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
103
Riccardo Zoidl
NFTO
s.t.
104
Jesús Ezquerra
Rádio Popular - Onda
s.t.
105
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Peter Stetina
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Mikel Nieve
Movistar Team
s.t.
108
Petr Vakoč
Bauknecht - Author
s.t.
109
Janier Acevedo
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
110
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
111
Larry Warbasse
TEAM Liquigas
s.t.
112
Janez Brajkovič
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
113
Calvin Watson
Rossiya
s.t.
114
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
115
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
116
Sonny Colbrelli
Cannondale
+ 6'44
117
Erik Baska
Madison Genesis
+ 7'51
118
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Sam Bennett
Velosure - Giordana Racing Team
+ 8'40
120
Maxim Belkov
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
121
Fabio Duarte
Colombia
s.t.
122
André Cardoso
IAM Cycling
s.t.
123
Geraint Thomas
Team Sky
s.t.
124
Diego Ochoa
Colombia
s.t.
125
Heinrich Haussler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
126
Michael Schär
Adria Mobil
s.t.
127
Jesper Hansen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
128
Philip Deignan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
129
Patrick Konrad
TEAM Spuerkeess
s.t.
130
Matej Vysna
-
+ 9'15
131
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
+ 10'22
132
Jacques Janse Van Rensburg
-
s.t.
133
Joshua Berry
Jamis - Hagens Berman
s.t.
134
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
s.t.
135
Jan Barta
Etixx
s.t.
136
Sebastian Salas
-
s.t.
137
Patrik Tybor
-
s.t.
138
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
139
Jan Hirt
Etixx
s.t.
140
Matthias Brändle
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Lukasz Wisniowski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 11'50
142
Alexey Tsatevitch
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
143
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
144
Louis Meintjes
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
145
Guillaume Boivin
Exergy Development Group
s.t.
146
Tobias Ludvigsson
SES Astra
s.t.
147
Michael Mørkøv
IAM Cycling
s.t.
148
Hugo Houle
Exergy Development Group
s.t.
149
Matthieu Ladagnous
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
151
David Boily
-
s.t.
152
Maciej Paterski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
153
Ryan Mullen
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
154
Elias Schmäh
IAM Cycling
s.t.
155
Christopher Gandon
TEAM Spuerkeess
s.t.
156
Ryder Hesjedal
Exergy Development Group
+ 14'29
157
Jiri Hudecek
-
+ 18'02
158
Ryan Anderson
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
159
Michael Kolar
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
160
Maciej Bodnar
IAM Cycling
s.t.
161
Danijel Jerman
Adria Mobil
s.t.
162
Karol Domagalski
Bauknecht - Author
s.t.
163
Philip Lavery
Synergy Baku Cycling Project
+ 19'55
164
Philip Lindau
-
+ 22'40
Well, folks, that's it for us today, check our website for more interviews.
See you at the final broadcast of Sporza of this cycling season: Il Lombardia. I thank Sven Nys, the crew, I thank you for watching and mostly I thank Matthias Vleminckx for bringing back the Rainbow Jersey to Belgium!
A new team, a new jersey, a new era.
So I thought, time for a new banner!
Il Lombardia
My last race for the team.
My first race as a World Champion.
I'm at an important cross roads in my career. I've just scored the biggest victory possible. Now I will get 12 months to prove I'm a true World Champion.
Profile
Last year I finished 150th. Right now, I haven't been training a lot since I won the World Championship. So I just expect to enjoy my new jersey today, that's it!
Today I wanted to show Orica and my team mates my final thanks. They've given me so much these last four years. Today I show the Rainbow Jersey in the colors of Orica - GreenEdge. I put myself at the front and worked for Simon Yates.
I may have partied a bit much after the World Championships. I dropped back pretty soon.
Uran took a beautiful monument with a daring solo.
I finished my last meters for Orica alongside a team mate, and after all these years one of my closest friends: Adam Yates.
I finished 152th, but what did that matter? It was time for a new era.
Season Overview
It has been a strange season. One with some perfect highlights, such as De Ronde, the Giro and the World Championships. But with little racing in between. I'll reach the age of 26 years within 3 weeks. Next year, I want to have a full calendar, and I want to be consistent.
Major Races
Smaller Races
Grand Tours
I can't complain about my 2017 season. I'll remember it forever. My second Ronde. 5 Giro stages, my first Points Jersey in a Grand Tour, my first World Championship! And some people dare say this has been a bad season. Well, then I'm curious what they think is a good season!
Bye, Bye, Orica!
It's time to say goodbye, now. I've had an amazing four years at Orica - GreenEdge. I won 2 Rondes, 1 Paris - Roubaix, a Tour de France stage, 2 National Jerseys, 5 Giro stages and much more. I made friends, Adam Yates, Bradley Carroll...
I'm glad I was able to finish my Orica-career with a Rainbow Jersey.
Omega Pharma - Quickstep
For the next two years, I'll try to defend the colors of Omega Pharma - Quickstep. And it seems about time I went there. Patrick Lefèvre gave a press conference, here's a small part of that conference:
[...] Next year we will welcome Matthias Vleminckx to the team. Matthias is one of the biggest talents I've ever seen. If you look at his palmares, it's impressive. If you realize he's only still 25 years old, it's just scary. He's got so many abilities. Now it'll be our job to guide him and show him what he can achieve.
We have been investing more and more in stage racers these last few years. But it's time we return to our roots. We must refocus on our biggest races, the classics. Matthias will help us do that. He will have Stijn Vandenbergh, Greg Van Avermaet and many others at his side. We have also signed a new top sprinter, Bouhanni.
I also want to take this time to make a big announcement. Now that we have finally found his successor, we can announce that Tom Boonen will retire from cycling. He had his final race three weeks ago. Starting next month, he'll join our staff. He'll be alongside Matthias next year, passing on his knowledge.
Tom originally wanted to guide Matthias the first year as a part of the team, but - aged 37 now - he's been having some problems with his knee later. Revalidation and coming back to a top level would be next to impossible at this point in his career. So he'll join the staff and stay with us.
I'll let him tell you about it. Ladies and gentlemen, Tom Boonen [...]
I'll see you in 2018, with the Rainbow Jersey!
Edited by Ian Butler on 29-05-2014 13:50
A different teams equals different ways. Omega Pharma - Quickstep is a highly professional cycling team. We're in November and a big part of the team is here in the United States of America on a first team training camp. There are no less than four(!) training camps planned, but no rider goes on all four. I am scheduled for this training camp and then one later in early January.
I always said there was a lot of talent in Orica - GreenEdge. Well, in that case I didn't make much of a change. Quickstep is filled with riders who have all proved their value. But the difference is how they are managed. Here at Quickstep, the talent works together and they all achieve their goals without counterworking each other.
Here are the most important members of the team. You will see that the specialisations are closer together than at GreenEdge.
GC riders: Michal Kwiatkowski, Roman Kreuziger Punchers: Michal Kwiatkowski, Jan Bakelants, Roman Kreuziger Sprinters: Gerald Ciolek, Nacer Bouhanni, Matthias Vleminckx, Japster Stuyven, Julian Alaphilippe, Gianni Meersman Time Trial Specialists: Tony Martin, Victor Campenaerts Northern Classics Specialists: Matthias Vleminckx, Greg Van Avermaet, Jasper Stuyven, Stijn Vandenbergh
Team Leaders: Michal Kwiatkowski, Matthias Vleminckx, Gerald Ciolek
This is a combination that works, it has been proved in the past. We'll make it work. I am guaranteed an absolute leading role in the cobbled classics. The rest of the season is wide open.
Training Camp: In Pictures
Look at that talent. German NC, French NC, Polish NC, World Champion.
Nice roads to get to know each other.
On an interval training...
A sprint between friends: Ciolek beating me beating Bouhanni!
I feel so free, so fresh. Changing teams was necessary for my career, I think. I can start over, I feel so motivated right now.
I have a feeling my 2018 season will be legen-
Wait for it!
Matt
Edited by Ian Butler on 29-05-2014 17:15
Yeah, OPQS was the best way to go 
Il Lombardia 
Training Camp 
