He came, thought deeply and turned out to be the best tactician out of 93,000 teams. Bjorn De Vriese can call himself the best Sporza Cycling Manager in the spring this season. An achievement that resulted in an exploded telephone, a brand new bicycle and, above all: eternal fame. “Although I hope that Yves Lampaert can forgive me,” shares the proud winner.
“It’s unreal,” says Bjorn De Vriese about his triumph in the Cycling Manager. “I had been in the top 10 since the Tour, but it was only in Liège that I took victory.”
A satisfying victory for a loyal player who makes his master plan public.
“I started with the Big Three: Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pogacar. In addition, a lot of sprinters will also run with points, so I had to have Philipsen, Merlier, Thijssen and Meeus. Then I still had room for guys like Pedersen and Wellens.”
“This year I did apply the strategy of “Kill Your Darlings”. So no Yves Lampaert and Tiesj Benoot at the start, even though I am a huge fan. In the end I did retrace my steps with the latter. But it remained more choose based on the head and not with the heart.”
Although Bjorn does regret it somewhat: “I hope Lampaert forgives me. Sorry, Yves.”
The winner’s tactical plan:
- Pogacar was in the team from the start so as not to have to transfer him
- A disappointing Girmay already asked out for Van Gils
- For Dwars door Vlaanderen, Jorgenson in, De Lie out
- After the heavy fall, Benoot relieved teammate Van Aert
- Pidcock and Skjelmose as the last trump card for the Ardennes classics, at the expense of Merlier and Meeus
The team that won after Liège.
Exploded mobile phone, very proud girlfriend
It has now become well known that his team is number 1.
That was something different on Sunday. “I had gone cycling in the region around Liège and was just at the car to see the finish. Two hours later I was home in Ghent. When I looked at my mobile phone, it had simply exploded.”
Friends, colleagues and even competitors in the mini competitions congratulated Bjorn extensively. “And even my girlfriend surprisingly sympathized very much with the cycling manager.”
“When she heard the news, she was crazy.”
After a week of rest, I am ready to compete again in the Giromanager.
Bjorn
The euphoria is great, yet (work) life continues as normal.
Bjorn is a mobility expert at an engineering firm. There he tackles dangerous traffic points every day. Bicycle safety is also close to his heart.
“But that doesn’t make me look at the race differently – with all the crashes on duty,” he shares. “I am always amazed at the spatial planning in Flanders when I see the helicopter images.”
Something he will soon be able to see up close for his prize: a brand new Ridley Fenix racing bike. Although that does not satisfy his hunger.
“After a week of rest, I am ready to go again in the Giromanager. We will hear each other afterwards,” he concludes with a wink.
Tags: Winner Cycling Manager jumps glory final match day mobile phone exploded messages
