I won’t force it: Luke Lamperti chasing his first Soudal Quick-Step win after top-ten Classics debut

For most riders, their Spring Classics debut can be something of a baptism of fire. Atrocious conditions, bad luck and little in the way of experience can quickly unravel a neo-pro’s best intentions, but Luke Lamperti (Soudal Quick-Step) isn’t your typical first-year pro.

The American has settled into life in the WorldTour with ease, notching up three second places and a podium since turning pro at the start of the year. Arguably his best result of the season, however, came on Sunday when he finished seventh in a reduced bunch sprint at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. For a team that struggled for results during Opening Weekend, Lamperti’s finish was certainly a highlight and a sign of things to come over the coming weeks, as the 21-year-old looks set to race a batch of races through Belgium.

“As a team, we’d like to go to these races and win but on a personal level, I’m happy with a top ten,” Lamperti told GCN from his base in Girona, after travelling back from Belgium on Sunday night.

“I can be satisfied for sure. It’s been a really good start to the season. I’m still chasing that first win but I’ve had a few seconds, a third, and I’ve been up there quite a lot. It’s been nice, just coming into the team and finding that level right away. It’s good for your confidence as a sprinter.”

Sunday’s race in Kuurne was a war of attrition. Visma-Lease a Bike ripped the race apart on a series of climbs, leaving most teams scrambling for cover as Wout van Aert put on a masterclass in cobblestone racing. In the end, Lamperti survived a hectic adventure, navigated his way through a messy sprint and took a highly creditable result.

Read more: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne: Wout van Aert takes dominant win from the break

“It was definitely a lot different from the races I’ve done so far. Obviously, I’ve done a lot of racing this season but when you come to the Classics it’s a different level. I didn’t do Omloop, just Kuurne, so everyone had Saturday in the legs already and then I came in fresh.” he told GCN.

“It was full gas all day. It took a long time for the break to go and then there was a quick few minutes to grab some bottles and then it was straight back to it. We had the other guys riding a bit more aggressively and then the plan was for me to try and survive until the sprint.”

Overall the American rider enjoyed his first encounter with top-level Classics racing, and while he is certainly no stranger to European racing, having spent three seasons on Trinity Racing, this was another step up in terms of quality and pace.

“It was a really cool experience. From the presentation before the race to all the people on the climbs, everyone gets behind Opening Weekend, so it’s almost like a holiday. That was super cool to be part of because before the weekend I’d only watched it from afar. I’d raced a bit in Belgium, here and there, but it wasn’t like Kuurne. This was my first real taste of the Belgian Classics. Obviously, you’re suffering but you’re still noticing all the fans and people behind the race,” he said.

“The biggest difference is the drop-off in level at U23. So when you make a group of 30 in the WorldTour, and to make a group of 30 in the U23s is completely different. A top 50 group in the WorldTour is an insanely hard group to make, whereas it’s just not as hard to do that in the U23 ranks. You get to the Classics, and then it’s even more selective, so the depth in level is the biggest factor.”

Next up for Lamperti is Danilith Nokere Koerse on 13 March. He might not find himself in Soudal Quick-Step’s squad for races like the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix in the coming weeks but this year’s Spring Classics will provide the young American with the chance to learn and continue his progression as a sprinter and potential Classics specialist. That first win is around the corner, it’s just a question of when, not if at this point.

“Next, I’ll do some of the secondary Classics, that’s the next bit for me. It’ll be nice to get a win after being second and third a few times but I won’t force it,” he said.