Here’s a non-confidential fact about professional cycling: behind every race start list, there is a long-term plan.
But then reality intervenes. Take the Tour of Wallonie, which starts tomorrow — on a Monday, a rarity in itself. A series of injuries reshuffled the team’s plans, and this time it was Riley Sheehan who got the call.
“You’re in.” And let us tell you: the always-smiling American from Boulder, Colorado, was delighted.
“When I heard the news, I was really excited,” said Sheehan. “This terrain is some of my favorite. I know this style of racing suits me, and I feel I can repay the trust the team has put in me and my teammates. We aim to fight for stage wins and be in the mix for the overall classification.”
If that sounds ambitious, it is. The Tour of Wallonie is essentially five Belgian Classics rolled into one stage race. Every day features the short, punchy, and often brutal climbs that have made Belgian racing famous.
Last year, NSN Cycling Team came out on top as Corbin Strong won the opening stage, took control of the race, and ultimately secured both the overall victory and the points classification.
In a perfect scenario, the team hopes to repeat that success. This year’s squad is built around leaders Sheehan and Krists Neilands (pictured above), supported by the ever-reliable Belgian veteran Tom Van Asbroeck and exciting newcomer German Moritz Kretschy, who joined the WorldTour squad after his breakthrough victory at the Tour of Rwanda.
Sports Director Dror Pekatch describes the lineup as “an attack-mode team”.
“The riders are coming in with great form,” he said. “We have a very balanced squad with strong leaders and riders who are fully committed to supporting them. We expect to race aggressively.”
The first three stages are likely to suit selective sprint finishes, while the final two days feature the toughest terrain of the race. The objective is clear: be in the fight every single day.
For Sheehan, Wallonie comes at the perfect time. The American arrives with confidence after claiming victory two weeks ago at Circuit de Wallonie, just a few kilometers from where this race will unfold in the French speaking region of Belgium.
“Since that win, I’ve been riding the wave,” said Sheehan. “Hopefully I can keep it going here with the strong team we have around us.”
Kretschy adds: “I‘m really looking forward to racing again. I think Wallonie suits me a bit more than Dunkerque, so I hope I can get a chance to show my level and also to support the as good as I can.”
NSN Cycling Team at the Tour de Wallonie (Monday 1 – Friday 5 June)
Riders: Moritz Kretschy (GER), Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ), Zac Marriage (AUS), Krists Neilands (LAT), Riley Sheehan (USA), Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL), Jens Verbrugghe (BEL)
Sports Director: Dror Pekatch (ISR), Eric Van Lancker (BEL), Pat McCarty (USA)