Gaia Masetti wins La Classique Morbihan

Gaia Masetti, our 21-year-old Italian, took her first pro win after some fantastically strong teamwork in La Classique Morbihan on Friday. AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step are in the winning mood clearly with victory number seven of the season for the elite team plus multiple wins for our U23 and U19 teams.

La Classique Morbihan is a hilly race in the region of Morbihan, Brittany. The team led by Servais Knaven lining up for the 114,7 kilometers-long race was Gaia, Maud Rijnbeek, Romy Kasper, Anya Louw, Ilse Pluimers and Britt Knaven. It was a race where attacks could make it all the way to the line and so all riders tried to be in moves. In the end it turned out to be a sprint and Gaia was the dedicated rider.

“It was a hard race,” Gaia said after the finish. “I have to say immediately that I have this win thanks to my teammates. They were so dedicated to me. As a team we raced aggressively all day. Romy was our captain but she was unlucky with punctures so we talked and the girls had faith in me.

In the last lap there was one attacker and my teammates did a really impressive job to catch her. In the penultimate corner, just before the finish climb, there was a crash. Me and the other rider avoided the crash. Romy said to me on the radio; go now Gigi! I did and I won. I am so proud of how we rode together. We were all so strong! I am still a bit speechless that I won because I knew my form was good but I didn’t see this coming.”

For birthday girl Romy Kasper it was a special day. She returned after a rest period after Roubaix and a hard Spring season.

“It was hectic from the beginning. Anya crashed out after three kilometers in a big crash. We were down to five but we kept working together," the experienced German rider explains. “In the first crosswinds we tried to split but it wasn’t working. No teams helped us there. The race was even neutralized and then we had a headwind and nothing happened.

On the local laps I attacked and the others tried too. That was also the plan. No attack made it to the line so we decided to go for Gaia in the final sprint and it worked out! This was a nice birthday. Personally, I had two flat tires and didn’t like the rain so much but we win as a team and that counts!”

The team continues tomorrow with GP du Morbihan.