Walter Planckaert (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) had 70th birthday, like in Roubaix celebrated

In addition to Wanty-Groupe Gobert may Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise still a second Belgian team will not participate in Paris-Roubaix. “Pity, it was been lovely if I had my 70th birthday in the Helleklassieker have been allowed to celebrate”, responded directeur sportif Walter Planckaert.

Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise saw in the previous edition of Paris-Roubaix Piet Allegaert with a 17th-place debut, and was again on a wildcard, but organizer ASO chose for the other teams. “Last year was an incredible success, with bill who is such a beautiful place from the fire managed to drag”, said Planckaert. “Of course we were there this year like a sequel to seen. In addition, we have a couple of young foals in our team who is in Roubaix, in the promises very well for the day were: Jordi Warlop last year, the third and Edward Planckaert in 2016 to the fifth.”

The is of 2013 ago that Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise was not there in Paris-Roubaix. “Of course it is not easy for ASO to make a decision. There were seventeen candidates for seven wildcards and then you know that it will be difficult. There are lots of teams out of the boat. If even Wanty-Groupe Gobert is not there, then we still need not to hard to complain. This is unfortunate, but we do not lie awake. A few days later we drive just Paris-Camembert, the program for our riders is already busy, it is now one price less. Agree, a great course, but I’m not going to drama. In the Flèche wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, we are there after all. Verandas-Willems may to Roubaix, but not to the Walloon races. You can see that ASO, however, has tried to get somewhere to find a balance. We are not there now, hopefully next year again.”

Then Planckaert or 71, and may he according to the rules of the Belgian federation in principle no longer behind the wheel of the team sit. “And we see it still. This is also why it is a pity that we will not be there. I am just 70 on the day of Paris-Roubaix and it was nice for that day in such a classic to celebrate. It’s not that I’m then going to retire, that can only be Tom Boonen, but it did fine. Although I realize that ASO does not know that the same day my birthday is.”