Jasper Haest moest zich tevreden stellen vandaag met een 2e plaats in Merelbeke - Schelderode. In de spurt moest hij zijn meerdere herkennen in de Nieuw-Zeelander Josh Scott. De twee hadden tijdens de wedstrijd perfect samengewerkt en vochten een eerlijk duel uit in de sprint.
"I stayed very quiet in the opening half of the race only assisting in a couple chases when there was a potential for a group to stay away. 30km to go a strong rider has a go at getting away so I follow him and we pull hard to try stay away! Half a lap later we see a 6 man group coming up to us but we were committed to keeping them away from us and although they chased hard we managed to put 1 minute between us! The two of us settled into a rhythm after a lap and we took big, even turns to keep consistency! We worked very well as a duo until the final 2-3km where we eased the pace and began to look at each other because our gap was too large to be brought back. I lead us through the final corner and we began to 'match sprint.' I had to control how we rode the sprint because I was on the front and he had the 'advantage' of surprise! Then, after 30km of riding off the front together, we let it lose and went full gas for the win, today I was stronger in the sprint and I managed to get my first victory here in Belgium!! The gap to the next finisher was 1min 40. I do not know the name of the rider that was with me but he was a strong rider and I give him big respect!" Josh Scott.
"In het begin van de wedstrijd mij vrij rustig gehouden. Beetje kijken hoe de benen voelde na het Nederlands Kampioenschap gisteren waar ik na een zware koers 27e werd. Na een tijdje weggereden en Scott sloot al snel aan. Samen goed samengewerkt en onze voorsprong liep al snel op. Op een sprint aan laten komen en helaas verloren!": vertelt Jasper.
