Binche – Chimay – Binche

What was supposed to be a final tilt at a big 2024 result in Belgium for Team Novo Nordisk turned into an uphill battle at Binche Chimay Binche when leader Matyas Kopecky was taken out of the race by an early crash.

“The plan went out of the window pretty early today,” said Sports Director Gennady Mikhaylov. “Matyas got caught in a crash before we hit the circuits in Binche, went over the bars and came down hard on his side. He’s ok, but was immediately out of the race and our goal was always to work for Matyas and try to set him up in the final.”

“That’s cycling. It happens to everyone, but the timing was unfortunate. We tried to reset, but the group split and after that Sam and Quinten both did well to hang on and battle to the end.”

After today’s disappointment in Belgium TNN shift the focus to next door in Germany and aim to reset before the final European race of the season at Sparkassen Münsterland Giro on Thursday.

“All the guys are professionals, it’s part of their job to be motivated,” continued Mikhaylov. “We all suffer setbacks whether it’s in life or at work and what’s important is how you bounce back and tackle the next objective. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first or final race of the year, our approach for Sparkassen will be to do the best we can and aim for a better outcome.”

Photo credits: Sprint Cycling Agency