Written by WelchAllyn at 22:59 1/6-2022
‘These sacred grounds… These cobbles still carry the memory of the old Roman legions marching through, en route to the border of their Empire. It’s on this Via Belgica, this heirbaan, my own home turf, we managed to achieve the greatest victory for team WelchAllyn’, Freddy ‘de Vettige’ is seemingly muttering at the press table. The manager of team WelchAllyn clearly seems emotional after what transpired today.
After 4 seasons with podium appearances WelchAllyn’s Fylkir Sólbjartursson managed to achieve victory at the classic Tournai-Tournai, birthplace of Freddy but also the origin of the cobble-sprint team that was once cooked together by Freddy and his protegés Bernard Wolfs and Francis Nilis, now retired riders of WelchAllyn.
This victory comes after a strong start of the 61st season, which already included several highs, with a strong debut of Serafin Matutes in Uganda, Amarildo Anjos being able to secure a spot in Giro di Montelbano, and, once again with Fylkir Sólbjartursson, a second place in Uruguay in yet another cobble race.
Tournai-Tournai seemingly has a fond place in the team’s heart and has been the main goal of WelchAllyn for the past 6 seasons, a win here means the team now has been awarded three trophies. The first being another cobblestone classic, Budapest Meeting Point, won by Donald ‘Donny’ Ruiter, the second one a central Europe cup won by Pepillo Balboa.
Not here to comment is the victorious rider, as he seems to have disappeared into the night in Valletta, no doubt to celebrate his enormous achievement, but Donald Ruiter, his old mentor and trophy companion.
‘Today, on this glorious day, it seems quite fitting to announce something that has been on my mind for some time. My days as a team captain are over for quite a while, and while I supported the team wherever I could, I feel the age in my bones. Today I gave it my all to give Fylkir the needed push to victory, and with that, I think, my riding days are over. I’ve achieved everything I wanted in this career. Freddy and I spoke earlier tonight and he’s willing to keep me signed up, but as a full time mentor for the younger riders.’
Freddy interjects, ‘With the retirement of Donny we will miss a core pillar in our team, our heart, but it’s with love that we’ll make this change. Donald’s achievements, with 20 appearances on the podiums, of which seven first place, together with the team’s first classic win, will forever stay with this team, they build this team to what we are now.’
The two men hugged each other after this press release and invited the gathered press to the afterparty at Freddy's mansion on the Maltese hills. A bittersweet end to a moving day.
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Comments
Great stuff from your team, Fylkir beats the youth and shows that persistance pays off!
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