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Given the concentrate on QuickStep-AlphaVinyl’s two-day redemption arc and Jumbo-Visma’s improved Classics squad, the battle for UCI factors was removed from the primary narrative off the Opening Weekend, however it was indicative of a season-long battle we’ll see between the groups combating for a 2023 WorldTour licence
With 18 WorldTour license slots up for grabs on the finish of the season and greater than 18 squads in competition – Uno-X, TotalEnergies, and Arkéa-Samsic are amongst these hoping to step up, the battle to build up UCI factors to place in the direction of the all-important ‘sporting criterion’ has been ongoing from day one of many season.
Decrease-ranked WorldTour squads similar to Lotto Soudal, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, and Cofidis are combating again and profitable thus far in 2022, whereas French ProTeam Arkéa-Samsic have additionally performed the identical with 5 victories (4 courtesy of Nairo Quintana) and 15 podium spots and different point-scoring outcomes.
The newest of these podiums got here through new signing Hugo Hofstetter at Sunday’s Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the Frenchman sprinting to 3rd place behind Fabio Jakobsen and Caleb Ewan and taking 125 treasured UCI factors within the course of.
Teammate Dan McLay was fourth, whereas Amaury Capiot took seventh in a show of group energy that added 285 factors to the 1,429 that noticed them positioned a shocking joint-first within the UCI rankings as of February 22.
“We should not speak about factors all yr lengthy,” stated Hofstetter shortly after the rostrum ceremony on Sunday afternoon. “However we’re conscious that the primary 18 groups will probably be within the WorldTour. We’re right here to win races, and if you win the factors come mechanically.
“I am pleased with our good UCI rating, final Tuesday we have been degree with UAE Staff Emirates, so I additionally wish to contribute to this. We have performed good outcomes because the starting of the season, so it is superb.”
The Arkéa-Samsic trio, with Hofstetter on the head, might be seen snaking across the exterior and up in opposition to the boundaries within the closing metres of Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, with the Frenchman sticking to Ewan’s wheel because the peloton absorbed the three-man breakaway inside metres of the end line.
Hofstetter stated that the group’s lead out was deliberate for McLay to be the final man however famous that after discovering himself behind Ewan within the closing metres he was all-in for the dash together with his teammate in the long run sprinting alongside him to take fourth.
“With the headwind it wasn’t straightforward and the breakaway in entrance made it difficult to handle, too,” Hofstetter stated.
“Within the dash it was usually alleged to be for Dan. Amaury was doing an awesome job for this and he took the wind whereas I took his wheel however after that he was going left and I used to be going proper. At that second I had McLay in my wheel, then I used to be in Ewan’s wheel, and I began my dash.
“The dash was a very quick one and at that second it was potential to remain in Ewan’s wheel. We all know that because the starting of the season they’re like the perfect sprinters on the planet, so it was actually laborious to beat them, however anyway we’re proud of this outcome.”
For Hofstetter, the result’s a confidence enhance heading into the remainder of the spring marketing campaign.
He began his Arkéa-Samsic profession with fourth place on the ultimate day of the Problem Mallorca and completed second within the uphill dash to kick off the Etoile de Bessèges. Now he’ll head to Le Samyn, a race he received two years in the past and considered one of two professional wins thus far in his profession.
“It is actually like good for the arrogance,” he stated of his Kuurn podium.
“For positive, it will be higher if I beat them however I am proud of this place, typically you actually wish to win however typically you do a foul outcome and then you definately respect a second like this extra. That is essential.”
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