Fenix-Deceuninck's DS sees potential in Marthe Truyen after Paris-Roubaix performance - "Can certainly become a spearhead in the future"

Marthe Truyen's remarkable achievement of securing the third spot on the Paris-Roubaix Femmes podium was met with jubilation from her colleagues at Fenix-Deceuninck. However, they were surprised by her unanticipated emotional display.

"She is always smiling, she is a very cheerful girl," sports director Michel Cornelisse told Sporza. Truyen was part of the group that broke free from the peloton. "We sent Marthe ahead because she drove very well over the cobblestones during the reconnaissance, and she can also sprint well, So she was an important pawn to send with.”

She continues, "But of course, we had not planned that they would get 6 minutes and survive the breakaway to the end. The rest of the team was also working hard, because we were still with three riders in the group of favourites. That crash So it was a downer."

Being a first-timer on this challenging course, it was no surprise that she was taken aback and sought confirmation from Cornelisse to ensure that what she was experiencing was real." That is a great boost for her and for the team. It is the icing on our spring. She even came to ask afterwards: 'Am I dreaming?'. I replied: 'No, you really came third in Roubaix'."

With a positive outlook on the Belgian's potential, Cornelisse hopes that this is only the beginning of great things to come. "She has a lot to offer, now she can see for herself that she can do something. We often tell her that we believe in her, but sometimes a rider also has to believe in herself. This can be a stepping stone to more and more beautiful. She can certainly become a spearhead in the future. She will only take steps forward. She can now also look in the mirror: maybe I can do more than I thought,” concluded Cornelisse.