Midweek one-day racing continued for the Team DSM on Wednesday as they took on the race dubbed the “unofficial sprinters world championships”, also known as Scheldeprijs. Last year saw an epic edition of the race where the team took third and fourth place after strong winds and rains decimated the bunch. However, the 2023 edition was set to take place under much sunnier and calmer affairs, living up to its unofficial nickname.
With a breakaway forming early in the day, the team worked well as a group to stay safe and conserve as much energy as possible as the kilometres ticked by. Remnants of the original move put up a good fight but they would be caught inside the closing ten kilometres, as Team DSM moved towards the front. With the flamme rouge approaching, the team charged to the front of the bunch, positioning fast finisher Sam Welsford. After being dropped off at the front by the team, the Aussie rider surfed the wheels in the closing few hundred metres; desperate to open up his sprint. Unfortunately, he was stuck somewhat and couldn’t fully open up his sprint but still fought all the way to the line for a second place finish. A good result after some strong teamwork throughout the day.
