The 4th Grand Prix Samyn 2021 concluded in a sprint, with Gladys Verhulst launching good foundations this season with team Arkéa Pro Cycling Team.
ON THE LINE WITH …
GLADYS VERHULST
” It was full throttle throughout the race. I made an effort on the last lap in order to position myself well before a cobbled section which really hurt when you crossed it. Once in front, I did everything to hold the position I had won! I also tried to break away with Aude Biannic, but the peloton did not let us take a field. So I stayed quiet on the last lap, and I held on. I did not know in the final how much we were in the peloton of riders of the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team. So I modelled my sprint on that of the Treks. Unfortunately, I took a wave 3-400 metres from the line, and the effort I had to put in afterwards cost me in the very last metres, unfortunately. I used a cartridge as they say, and then I caught some wind. Because it is often considered the worst place to take. But looking back, I’m satisfied, I managed a good sprint, in a class 1, which was my second race since the resumption of the road season ”.
THE DEBRIEF OF THE DS
FRANCK RENIMEL
“ The riders of the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team quickly confirmed the great performances they had achieved last year. They must now realize that they can shine in this type of race. The Ladies Samyn is not a simple race with many cobbled sections. Gréta unfortunately for her and the collective broke her bike when the race got carried away, and Lucie made a placement error, which unfortunately was fatal to her chances. Léa, Typhaine and Gladys were still present in the final. Typhaine tried to jump in, and then we played Gladys in the sprint, who is one of our fastest girls. Gréta if she had been present, could have been an asset for Gladys in the finale. 4th, it is, in any case, a good confirmation of our progress compared to last year. We must now improve an important point, the decisions that the riders, alone, must quickly take in the race. We will continue to work in this direction, and a first assessment will be drawn up at the end of April at the end of the Flandrian classics campaign ”.