An Post Sean Kelly team rider Niko Eeckhout won the Schaal Sels (1.1) yesterday (Sunday) in Belgium. The veteran rider battled severe wind and rain to claim victory by twelve seconds ahead of the chasing peloton.

Niko Eeckhout - Photo Sportsfile

Eeckhout was involved in a break of ten early on which included three of his An Post team mates; Mark McNally, Roy Jans and Kenneth Van Bilsen. McNally fell foul to a puncture shortly after but the An Post trio attacked out front to lead the race. After accumulating a considerable gap over the chasing riders the trio eased off, waiting for the rest of their team mates to catch up and regroup.

Van Bilsen and Eeckhout worked hard together chasing down the lead group and with twenty five kilometres left to go Eeckhout attacked, soloing home to claim the victory.

Team manager Kurt Bogaerts was thrilled with the victory and praised the efforts of the entire team.

�It was a great result for us today. Not only was it a superb performance by Niko to claim the victory but it was a tremendous team performance and that�s what pleases me the most.

"Niko has shown time and time again his class. He is an example to all the younger riders in terms of his professionalism, his attitude and his dedication to the sport so I�m delighted for him today�.

�The team are in good shape at the moment. The fitness levels are looking good and the mentality of the riders is very strong so it bodes well for the next few weeks with the Tour of Britain and the World Championships around the corner� Bogaerts added.


The An Post Sean Kelly team�s next race is at the GP Jef Scherens (1.1) in Belgium on the 2nd September.