No surprise to the occasion of the traditional “Gala du Flandrien”, organized by the newspaper The Newspaper Tuesday evening at the Silt in Middelkerke. As for the Crystal Bike mid-October, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) et Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx-Protime) were logically crowned “Flandriens” of the year 2024 by their peers, a trophy which rewards the best Belgian cyclists of the season. Among the other winners, Jarno Wider (hopes), Jasper Schoofs (juniors) et Jinze Joris (beginners) were popular among young people, whileEwoud Vromant was awarded the title of Paralympian Cyclist of the Year.
Video – Patrick Lefevere was part of the specialist jury
Evenepoel ahead of Merlier and Philipsen, Kopecky without rival
A jury of thirty-two specialists made up of managers, sports directors or organizers – including Patrick Lefevere (Soudal Quick-Step), Philip Roodhooft (Alpecin-Deceuninck), ou encore Richard Plugge (Visma | Lease a Bike) – had previously selected the five nominees and finalists for each category, with the Belgian riders themselves then voting. Remco Evenepoel thus finds a trophy won in 2022 but which he had to give up to Jasper Philipsen last year. The double Olympic champion won with 546 points and is ahead of his teammate in the order Tim Merlier (376), Jasper Philipsen (347), Wout van Aert (277) et Thibau Nys (224).
“Winning this prestigious trophy for the second time in my career is something that makes me proud, as it rewards what has been one of my best seasons since turning professional“, said Evenepoel in a team press release. “I would like to thank my family and my team for their continued support and for believing in me, this would not have been possible without them. This is something that motivates me to become even better and achieve better results with the Soudal Quick-Step and Belgian jerseys“. Lotte Kopecky registered her name on the list for the fifth time in a row, ahead of Justine Ghekiere, Lore De Schepper, Margot Vanpachtenbekeet et Fleur Moors.
