Wisniowski comes third in Middelkerke

Wisniowski comes third in Middelkerke

A superb ride saw the young Pole record his maiden podium of the season, on the first day of Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen.

One of the main riders of Etixx – Quick-Step on the opening Belgian week-end, where he notched a 5th place in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Lukasz Wisniowski confirmed the strong form he's enjoying this spring by finishing on the last spot of the podium in the prologue that kicked-off the 70th edition of Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen. In Middelkerke, a small town located in West Flanders, on the North Sea, Lukasz rolled down the ramp in the first part of the day and put in a blistering ride, stopping the clock in exactly 8 minutes.

The time he set was enough for the 24-year-old to take third place, behind Tom Bohli (BMC) and Martijn Keizer (LottoNL-Jumbo). Lukasz Wisniowski wasn't the only Etixx – Quick-Step rider to post a good result on Friday, in the 7-km long individual time trial, as Guillaume Van Keirsbulck had the 9th fastest time and went on the podium to receive the jersey for the best placed West Flandrian.

"I felt good today. I am more confident after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, and my shape is getting better and better. Now I am really looking forward to the next stages. I like the cobblestones and the wind, and that's exactly what we'll have here. I'm lying in third, which is an excellent position to try something over the following days, especially as we have a strong team for this event", said Lukasz at the finish.

On Saturday, stage 1 will depart from Brugge and head to Harelbeke, where the peloton will arrive after 176.3 kilometers and four difficult climbs: Tiegemberg (which will be tackled twice), Holstraat and Oude Kwaremont.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele