FILIP MEIRHAEGHE HAS SEEN VICTORYPRIL 16
FILIP MEIRHAEGHE HAS SEEN VICTORYPRIL 16
Press Release
Enjoy Susan Leonard’s race report on Filips win, which was filed from the field.
April 13-14 Paris-Roubaix VTT – This stage race, which lasts two days, follows the same cobblestone roads as Paris-Roubaix, the world cup race on the road. Saturday’s racing consisted of two stages, with a liaison between them. Sunday’s racing featured two race stages and a final stage to the Roubaix Velodrome. The course covered approximately 200km of terrain. Friday evening saw Filip drive to Raismes, where he spent time looking at the course and trying out his Specialized FSR. Filips brother David is the team mechanic for European races. He had two long racing days to complete. Filip selected the dual suspension bike for its ability to smoothen out bumps and cracks in cobblestones. It is also versatile enough to handle dirt roads.
On Saturday, the first stage was a small loop. The second stage consisted of two large loops from Raismes. These fast, flat tracks were a contrast to the dry week before. Filip won the sprint against Bart Brentjens, and was awarded the leader’s jersey after 50km. The group rode the 30km liaison to Marchiennes in the afternoon. The second stage of the day, a 40km loop from Marchiennes to and from Filip, ended in a sprint finish. However, Bart won the leader’s jersey. Filip and Bart were both tied, with no second between them.
Sunday’s racing was shorter but more difficult. There was more racing on cobblestone roads than dirt and it was cold and rainy. If Filip and Bart were tied at the end of the fourth stage, then the winner would be decided by the result of the final stage at the velodrome. This stage is not part in the overall. Many Belgians rooted for Filip to win Sunday’s stage. There was much excitement about who would win. The 33 km stage from Orchies (33 km) proved to be a thrilling finish with Filip and Bart sprinting. Filip won the stage, retaking the leader’s jersey from Bart. Both Filip and Bart finished the race neck-and-neck at the end.
We drove 35 km to Willems from there. Filip and Bart were under pressure. If Bart won this stage, it would mean that everything would be decided at the Roubaix velodrome. Filip would win the overall if he won the stage. The last stage had an uphill 180-degree turn. Filip was already on the course trying different strategies in anticipation of a tough sprint finish. Bart led Filip at the end of the final approach and took the corner before the finish. Filip won the sprint by taking the outside line and making a wide turn. He then passed Bart from the inside. Filip was obviously very proud of his win.
The final stage was a 12km tour from Willems, Roubaix and ended at the same spot as the world cup road racing in the Velodrome. Many locals and fans were present and it was a lively atmosphere. There was also a large screen showing live coverage of the race. Filip, Bart and Maatten from Holland (3rd) received their awards and did a victory lap around velodrome before they handed out their bouquets. Filip is proud of his cobblestone victory (his second there win) and is content with his current condition.
