Wanty-Groupe Gobert return to racing for first time after death of Antoine Demoitié
The Belgian team will take to the startline of the Tour of Flanders with Antoine Demoitié at the forefront of their minds
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Wanty-Groupe Gobert will return to race for the first time after Antoine Demoitié's death resulting from a Ghent-Wevelgem crash last Sunday. The Belgian team will race the Tour of Flanders on Sunday "after a very hard week."
Demoitié died in the early hours Monday morning at the hospital in Lille, France. The 25-year-old Belgian crashed 150km into the Ghent-Wevelgem classic and was hit by a jury motorbike afterwards.
"It was a very hard week," sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren said. "The preparations for the Ronde didn't go as planned, unfortunately.
This Wednesday we did a long training together and I think it was good for the guys. After that I spoke with some riders individually as well because some of them have not only lost their teammate Antoine but also their friend Daan Myngheer.
"It was the right decision not to ride in De Panne and the races in France this weekend. But on Sunday we race. The only thing we can do for Antoine and also for Daan is get a result to make them proud."
Eyewitness describes Antoine Demoitié crash: 'I suspected that it wasn’t an ordinary accident'
Wanty-Groupe Gobert refuse to blame moto driver for death of Antoine Demoitié
Belgian rider Antoine Demoitié dies in hospital after Ghent-Wevelgem crash
The team sat out of the Three Days of De Panne and French race Route Adéie de Vitré, where the Demoitié was due to race next.
Instead, eight riders will make Wanty's race return in Flanders: Marco Marcato, Jérôme Baugnies, Dimitri Claeys, Björn Thurau, Tom Devriendt, Frederik Backaert, Kévin Van Melsen and Kenny Dehaes.
Kévin Van Melsen plans to escape for his late teammate. Demoitié's first WorldTour race as a professional was the E3 Harelbeke last Friday, where he spent around 100 kilometres in a breakaway.
"It is not easy to think about racing but now I know for sure that I will be able to say goodbye to Antoine on Monday, I am twice as motivated for Sunday's race," Van Melsen said.
"I want to be part of the breakaway with Antoine on my mind. I want him to be proud of me and proud of us up there."
The race covers 255.9 kilometres and 18 climbs, which for Wanty will be forever linked to Demoitié. "
His last race on Friday was over those iconic climbs in Flanders," team manager, Jean-François Bourlart said on Monday. "Just as his sports director asked him, he attacked and rode free in his first WorldTour race."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Boardman ADV 8.6 review: a lot of gravel bike without the big price tag
Boardman specs its entry-level gravel bike well to handle the majority of off-road action
By Paul Norman • Published
-
American cyclist aims to break Strava record with a 950-mile cross spanning three states
The Guinness World Record attempt will traverse three state lines and is expected to take seven days to finish
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
All Flanders Classics races, from Omloop to the Tour of Flanders, to have equal prize money
Women will earn the same as men from this year, as €400,000 is split across six races
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Adrie van der Poel reveals banter exchanged with Mathieu before CX World Championships
Van der Poel senior says that his sons cyclo-cross season has been ‘perfect’ preparation for a strong start to the cobbled classics
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar eyes Tour of Flanders revenge in 2023
The UAE Team Emirates rider hopes to add to his Monuments collection next season
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe: ‘I want to be 100% for the Tour of Flanders’
The Frenchman has said the Monument is his “big goal” for next season.
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
‘Those climber guys can ride over the cobbles these days’ - Fabian Cancellara predicts a fast paced opening week at the Tour de France
Cancellara has won the opening stage of the Tour de France five times and knows the importance of a strong opening week
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
From the cobbles to the race track: Tom Boonen is living his best life
Classic legend Tom Boonen on race car driving, Mathieu van der Poel and modern cycling
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar apologised to Dylan van Baarle after Tour of Flanders frustration
Video shows Slovenian angry at Dutchman following Sunday's sprint
By Adam Becket • Published
-
The day the crowds returned: From viking horns to the smell of beer at the Tour of Flanders
Crowds packed the start, the finish, and every key climb to catch a glimpse of the Ronde
By Adam Becket • Published