South Africa’s Team MTN-Qhubeka enjoyed a superb debut to the Classics season on Saturday with Gerald Ciolek finishing 11th in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium.
Ciolek won the bunch sprint after 10 riders escaped earlier in the race.
Luca Paolini of Katusha beat Stijn Vandenbergh (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) in a two-man sprint to the line. Paolini, 36, became the race’s oldest winner.
“I think the result is okay, to be in front of the first chasing group is good,” said Ciolek. “To see that my shape is good even if I am a little sick is good.
“Maybe I could have done a little better but things weren’t too bad today. I tried to be in front with 50km to go but the group went away afterwards and it’s always difficult if you miss the move.
“All the big teams were in front but the thing about cycling is you never stop learning. Maybe you think you should react immediately because all the teams are in front and you know they won’t chase each other but I am happy with how things are right now.”
This result for Ciolek follows on from his fifth place last Saturday in Trofeo Laigueglia.
