'I hope the best is yet to come' – Soudal-QuickStep turn to Ardennes after Paris-Roubaix ordeal

Soudal-QuickStep co-leader Yves Lampaert battles through the Arenberg during Paris-Roubaix
Soudal-QuickStep co-leader Yves Lampaert battles through the Arenberg during Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: ANNECHRISTINE POUJOULATAFP via Getty Images)

A punishing day out on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix concluded what has undeniably been a disappointing spring campaign for Soudal-QuickStep, a team with a long and distinguished history in this terrain.

Five-and-a-half hours of racing produced team-best 23rd and 24th placings for Tim Merlier and Yves Lampaert in the Roubaix velodrome on a day which saw the typical Hell of the North bad luck strike co-leaders Kasper Asgreen and Florian Sénéchal in the form of punctures and crashes.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.