Long touted as a rider with the potential to perform strongly in the cobbled Classics, Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge) has taken matters in hand in 2016. After four years of largely underwhelming results on Belgian roads, the Australian arrived at an epiphany: nothing beats being there.
And so, for a month at least, Durbridge has transferred his European base northwards, to Ghent, in order to prepare for the Spring Classics. The early fruits of his labours were on show at Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, where the Australian powered up the road in a counter-attack with 75 kilometres remaining, and was still prominent on the front over the Kwaremont and Paterberg in the finale.
"I've actually moved to Ghent for this period. I've always really liked the cobbles but I never really knew the roads enough so I think that's made a big difference now that I actually know where I am in Belgium," Durbridge told Cyclingnews at the finish in Waregem.
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"I'm really happy with my performance today. I just couldn't get away at the end but I had a crack and it's a good sign for things to come."
When Durbridge initially sprang into action on the Leberg, the intention was to lay the groundwork for his teammate Jens Keukeleire to bridge across. The Belgian duly did just that, but Durbridge would prove the more aggressive of the Orica-GreenEdge pairing thereafter.
Durbridge was able to follow the impressive Oscar Gatto's brisk tempo on the Paterberg and he forced a split of his own when he powered to front on the cobbles at Varent with 25 kilometres remaining. He was still part of the leading group of seven over the climb of the Vossenhol, before they were swept up by the reduced peloton on the fast run-in to Wargem, where he rolled home in 27th place in the same time as winner Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal).
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