2020 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Asgreen's Life Didn't Change, But He's More Confident After Flanders' 2nd

Asgreen's Life Didn't Change, But He's More Confident After Flanders' 2nd

Kasper Asgreen begins 2020 with more confidence thanks to his second place in the 2019 Tour of Flanders.

Feb 25, 2020
Asgreen Aims Higher After Flanders 2nd Place

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Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) is still the same bike rider, but begins 2020 with more confidence thanks to his second place in the 2019 Tour of Flanders

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Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) is still the same bike rider, but begins 2020 with more confidence thanks to his second place in the 2019 Tour of Flanders

The 25-year-old Dane will begin his Cobbled Classics campaign at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as one of the team's options thanks to his 2019 season.

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"Not much," he told FloBikes when asked how much his life has changed. "I'm still bike rider. I still enjoy cycling. And I still do my best to be as good as I can.

"I think it was more my whole season in general that changed my position in the team. If I just had that one result in the Tour of Flanders, it wouldn't have changed much. But because I kept performing consistently throughout the season and winning races. My position obviously changed in the in the team."

Alberto Bettiol (EF Pro Cycling) rode clear in the 2019 Flanders finale while top stars like Greg Van Avermaet and Mathieu van der Poel marked each other, grinding the chase down to a stalemate. 

Asgreen's veteran teammates Yves Lampaert and Bob Jungels accompanied him in the chase, but it was the young Danish rider who had the legs in the finale, claiming a head turning second place finish in his very first Tour of Flanders.

Bettiol surprised, but Asgreen also broke through. For him though, the whole season changed his outlook. His season also included a stage win and third overall in the Tour of California. This week he is racing the Tour de la Provence.

"Flanders was a step along the way. An important step because it's a really big race and a very important race for the team, but it was only a step in the right direction," he added.

"It was the first time that I was racing with the very best in the world and giving them a run for their money, and when you do that it gives you confidence that it's possible to do it again.

"I hope to do the same or better this year. It will be hard work but I look forward to it."