Winner Baroncini and Pluimers (second) both overjoyed after Super 8 Classic: "The way it happened was fantastic"

In the flash interview, Baroncini was understandably ecstatic — and that’s putting it mildly. "I am the happiest person in the world right now. I finally got that win, after a tough three-year period with a lot of injuries." This season, Baroncini was finally able to race a full year without any major physical setbacks, and his peak form was already evident in the recent Vuelta a España. He impressed in the final time trial, finishing fourth. "I came out of the Vuelta in great shape, but I didn’t expect this. It was a tough race, but the team was amazing," a delighted Baroncini made sure to thank his teammates.

While Baroncini has secured his first professional win, Pluimers is still waiting for his. However, with his current form, it seems only a matter of time. The 23-year-old Dutchman has already made quite an impression in recent weeks, including a fourth-place finish in the Geraardsbergen stage of the Renewi Tour and a fifth-place finish in the recent GP of Wallonia. Now, he’s added an impressive second place in the Super 8 Classic to that list, after breaking away from a group of fifteen riders in the final kilometers. "I’m really happy," he shared his joy in the flash race interview. "I was hoping for this result this morning, but the way it happened was fantastic."

Pluimers then made a surprising remark: "I found the course a bit less tough than last year." However, the course is almost the same as last year; in fact, the previous edition even had more kilometers. "On that last climb — I don’t even remember the name — I went full throttle," Pluimers continued. "We were four riders up front, but I immediately cramped up. When Matteo (Trentin, Pluimers' teammate, ed.) joined us, I decided to work for him so he would have a chance to win."

"But with one and a half kilometers to go, I looked back and there was no one on my wheel," Pluimers said, pinpointing the moment he realized he had a shot at a podium finish. He had to dig deep for it though. "From that moment on, I just went all in on suffering until the finish line." What’s clear is that Pluimers is in excellent form, and tomorrow he’ll be lining up for the Gooikse Pijl. "It’s great to be in good form during this period. I had a bit of a rough spring after Milan-San Remo due to a knee injury, but now I’m feeling fresh, which is ideal. I hope we can achieve a great result tomorrow with Arvid," the all-rounder referred to his teammate De Kleijn, who will face the likes of Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen tomorrow.