Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl must seize opportunity in Paris-Roubaix

They have been lagging behind all spring, but in the north of France they can always do something more. Especially Yves Lampaert, who is back in good form just in time, after a lot of misery with corona and illness. The Wolfpack is driving with the Dane Kasper Asgreen as the leader. Tim Declercq and Lampaert, the number three in 2019, are of service to the West Flemish.

The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl roster is completed by the Italian Davide Ballerini, the French Florian Sénéchal, the German Jannik Steimle and the Czech Zdenek Stybar. Stybar was second in Roubaix in 2015 and 2017. Kopman Asgreen already took places of honor in the Strade Bianche (3rd), E3 Harelbeke (10th) and Amstel Gold Race (6th) this spring. In the Tour of Flanders, his result was disappointing with a 23rd place. The Dane, last year’s winner of the Tour of Flanders, was never able to get a top result in his previous two participations in Paris-Roubaix.

“We start with a lot of hope at Paris-Roubaix”, sports director Tom Steels looked ahead. “We are starting with a good team. It will be the last cobblestone classic of the spring and we will go there with confidence, motivation and the same fighting spirit as always. Hopefully it will go well this time. We are going for a good result. Different riders are able to make a difference.”

Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl has already won 18 games this season, but CEO Patrick Lefevere’s team fell short in the classic spring. On Wednesday, Remco Evenepoel was the first rider of the Wolfpack to finish sixth in the Brabantse Pijl. In the Tour of Flanders, Asgreen was the first Quick-Step rider in 23rd place.