dsm-firmenich PostNL prospers with American talent in fight against relegation
Cycling
dsm-firmenich PostNL has fared well in recent days regarding the battle for promotion/degradation from the WorldTour next season. Kevin Vermaerke finished third in the 2. Pro race Arctic Race of Norway on Wednesday and added a fourth place in WorldTour race Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday.
The 23-year-old American thus collected 195 UCI points in one week, which is quite a nice boost for the current number 18 in the World Cycling Federation's points list. The first 18 teams after 2025 are entitled to a World spot for the 2026-2028 cycle, with dsm-firmenich PostNL now 1,500 points ahead of Arkéa-B&B Hotels, which is in spot 19.
As for Vermaerke himself, good feelings prevailed after Clasica San Sebastian, where he finished fourth behind Marc Hirschi, Julian Alaphilippe, and Lennert Van Eetvelt. "It was a good race. I had a long trip from Norway and felt a bit tired. But at the same time, I knew the form was good, and I was improving in the last few weeks."
Vermaerke: "Can be proud of race style"
"If it was going to be a tough race, I knew that would suit me better than the stages in Norway," explained the man from the United States. "I managed to save energy in the race's first half, and with Warren Barguil, we were also well in the breakaway. Then I was perfectly positioned for the Jaizkibel, after which I always managed to stay in the front."
"On the second-to-last climb, the gap was made. I was pretty comfortable in the group of favorites there but couldn't keep up in the last few hundred meters on the last climb. So I had to go at my own pace," he continued. He finished seventeen seconds behind the leading duo, just ahead of a small group that included Jhonatan Narváez.
"All in all, I felt powerful and am getting better and better in the races. As number four, you fall just outside the podium, but we can be proud of the way we rode as a team. I am already looking forward to my next races," Vermaerke concluded.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024