Quinten Hermans on third place in BEMER Cyclassics: "The races of the highest level are the ones which suit me most"

Quinten Hermans has been on incredible form this year, finally having a breakthrough on the road and netting several high-level results for Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux. Yesterday at the BEMER Cyclassics he's shown that talent again, riding into third place.

"This is my fourth World Tour podium of the season, I'm happy about my performance. The races of the highest level are the ones which suit me most, because generally they're more controlled and predictable," Hermans said in a post-race interview. Although usually one for the sprinters, the German classic saw a mass crash decimate some of the peloton late in the day, and the climbs of the Waseberg were well used by those looking to attack.

"Today, for example, I expected an acceleration of Wout Van Aert in the final... His attack on the final climb was very hard, so we immediately had a nice gap," he said. Hermans followed his compatriot and rival up the final ascent, and the tailwind assisted the attackers into the line in Hamburg. "On top of the climb we were a group of five and we managed to continue our effort, working well together until the final hectometers". 

I feel like I made the right decisions today. Also in the sprint, when I chose Marco Haller's slipstream. I dug deep to get next to him, until my legs shut up," he described. Hermans couldn't go over the Austrian in the end, but nevertheless went on to finish a strong third palce for the Belgian team.  "Of course I would have preferred to win, but this is a nice result for the team so I'm satisfied". 

"I'm now traveling to Livigno to prepare a nice programme with Italian end of the season classics," Hermans concluded. Although van Aert's presence will likely be an obstacle for Hermans' possible goals in the World championships, there will be several hilly races that suit the cyclocross specialist in the coming month which he should be able to make good use of.