Lotto-Dstny rider Florian Veermersch wants to "just win once it doesn't matter which race" during 2023 season

The 2021 edition of Paris-Roubaix will be remembered for a long time. An epic race that had very difficult conditions provided us a fantastic cycling spectacle that culminated with the win of former Bahrain Victorious rider Sonny Colbrelli. In a sprint that beat superstar Mathieu Van der Poel and a young 22 years old talent, Florian Veermersch, that few would, think would finish 2nd in his debut at Paris-Roubaix.

His daring performance at Paris-Roubaix catapulted the Lotto-Dstny, to a new stardom and expectations were high for him in 2022. But, although he won his first pro race in Antwerp Port Epic classic, his season was one of ups and downs. Specially in the sprint classics, where he came short to what he had shown in Paris-Roubaix a year earlier. Now, for 2023 his ambitions are modest, “I want to win a race. Just win once, it doesn't matter which race. And for the rest, ride finals”, he told Sporza in an interview.

His 2022 team Lotto-Soudal (now Lotto-Dstny) was one of the teams that got relegated to the Pro Continental scene after a poor performance, specially at the World Tour races, from them. Now in 2023 the team emerges has one of the strongest in the Pro Continental scene, being not only of the oldest (since 1985 they ride) but also one that has the most talented riders on paper. Still, for now Vermeersch feels no pressure.

"We are aware that we have to show ourselves after last season (in which Lotto was relegated from the World Tour), but still I don't have the feeling at the moment that it is already to have to. That pressure will be turned up though as the opening weekend approaches”, stated the Belgian.

Despite not having very big goals for 2023, the Belgian rider doesn't want to be remembered just for his 2nd place in the Paris-Roubaix of 2021 neither being remembered has an eternal promise. He doesn't want to consider that result has a poisoned gift, even though expectations around him have perhaps risen unrealistically high since that one day.

“I have not experienced any negative pressure from that, but I also realize that it will be difficult to top that performance. I do notice that the base has become a bit broader, that I can handle more on training” he stated referring also his Tour de France experience and the benefits he can take from that.