After Putte-Kapellen Wanty-Groupe Gobert is the final winner of the UCI Europe Tour for the second consecutive time. That classification crowns the most regular procontinental team in Europe. After the final race Putte-Kapellen, Wanty-Groupe Gobert is sure of a new final victory, the second consecutive because in 2016 the team also won the ranking. Victories in among others Le Samyn, Tour du Limousin, Druivenkoers, Omloop van het Houtland, Giro della Toscana, Coppa Sabatini and countless close spots brought our team a collective victory. In the final classification Wanty-Groupe Gobert is in front of Cofidis and Androni-Sidermec.
Hilaire Van der Schueren:
“It is proof that we are the best team this season. We finish before Cofidis, Direct Energie, Androni and Fortuneo. That gives a boost.”
“Three weeks ago I told general manager Jean-François Bourlart that we would win the Europe Tour. At the moment we were 500 points behind. But I know how the system works. We speculated that well. We have changed our way of riding. We rode to pick up points and that brings benefits. “
“This year was even more special to win the Europe Tour because we did not get any points in July because of our participation in the Tour. We need to prepare for that next year. “
“I’m very pleased with this season. By the end of 2016 everyone said: ” You cannot do better. You can not equal the victory of Gasparotto in the Amstel and the Europe Tour win.” With participation in the Tour and a second final victory in the Europe Tour, I think we did.”
