"I left to get opportunities for myself" - Jannick Steimle vindicates Soudal - Quick-Step departure with victory at Grand Prix de Denain

It something of a turn up for the books, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team's Jannik Steimle took victory from the breakaway at Grand Prix de Denain 2024 this Thursday afternoon.

Getting himself in the early breakaway, Steimle was immediately pleased with the companions he found alongside him. “We were on the road with a very nice group,” said Steimle in his post-race interview. “We worked well together. In the final it was mainly important to stay on the bike on the wet cobblestones. But of course I am very happy.”

Whilst at one point the break had around 7 minutes, the chase group was nearing the catch when disaster struck around 10km from the line as Stefan Kung slipped out on the cobbles taking down everyone in the group like dominoes. Not that Steimle was paying any attention to what was happening behind. "I felt good and told myself that we had a good chance of making it," he explains. "The team stayed behind me all day, pushing me to the finish. My girlfriend and family also continued to encourage me in the last few weeks, when my form was not so good. Today it paid off. I am very happy with my first victory.”

The win also vindicates Steimle's choice to leave Soudal - Quick-Step the German believes. "There I was more of a helper. I left to get opportunities for myself. It took me three months to get my first win. I am very happy and am going to the big classics with a lot of motivation.”