Team Takes a Big Step Forward in Omloop der Kempen

Each race brings its own unique challenges, and it’s important to reflect on those challenges and grow from them. Today, we raced the Dutch UCI 1.2 one-day race Omloop der Kempen, and it was clear that many of our young riders—and myself—are learning a lot from the demands of a European pro racing calendar.

After racing Omloop Het Waasland in Belgium two weeks ago, we knew that positioning would be key in this style of racing. You have to go to the front and stay there if you want to perform in the classics-style races in Holland and Belgium. Time spent at the back of the pack is time spent risking crashes or getting caught in a crosswind split—either of which can end your race in an instant. As a team, we committed to staying together at the front, and because of that, we entered the finishing circuits (with 20 km to go) with fresh legs.

It got aggressive at the front during the finishing circuits. Every rider from every team was fighting for every wheel. But I felt great. After a hard racing block that included Vuelta Asturias, Omloop Het Waasland, and Silesian Beskid, I knew I had some solid fitness under me. I fought hard to stay in a position where I could use it. I was determined to mix it up in the sprint.

With 3 km to go, I found myself in a perfect spot—around 15th wheel—and continued to move up. By the 700 m mark, I was sitting in nearly ideal position: 4th wheel. I kicked with about 250 m to go when a Lotto rider sprinted around me. I found myself a bit boxed in but was still fighting for a podium spot. In the end, I finished 9th, scoring my first UCI points of the year—for both myself and the team.

As with every race, there are things I did well and things I know I can improve. But overall, it was a great day for me and for the team. I rode strong, my teammates rode great, and I’m excited for the classics-style race Paris–Troyes in three weeks, where I know I’ll have another excellent opportunity to perform.

Cheers,
Josh Anderson