Team DSM make no friends with dodgy Tour of Flanders tactic

The peloton bunched up on the Kortekeer
The peloton bunched up on the Kortekeer (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

There was plenty to celebrate about the 2023 Tour of Flanders men's race, with Tadej Pogačar's spectacular performance, Mathieu van der Poel's fourth straight podium, but even Van der Poel was unimpressed with one moment in the race: Team DSM's tactics on the Kortekeer with 126 kilometres to go.

John Degenkolb and four teammates amassed at the front of the peloton as the early breakaway held a six-minute lead and proceeded to go at such a slow pace that some riders toward the back were forced to put a foot down. Then, over the top, they accelerated sharply.

Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.