08 October 2022

Rik Van Stenbergen Memorial, Connor Swift: "A big thank you to the Arkéa-Samsic team"

Connor Swift will compete in his last race in red and black in the Grand Prix Van Stebergen, the last race of the Belgian calendar.

Pre-race

“The Rik Van Stenbergen Memorial will be my last race in the Arkéa-Samsic team. I have been with the team for three and a half years, and this moment will obviously be very emotional for my team-mates, the staff and myself too. My successes on the Tro Bro Léon and in the general classification of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes will remain extraordinary memories engraved for life, as will competing three times in the Tour de France with the team. I would really like to thank the sports management and Emmanuel Hubert for the extraordinary moments I have experienced and the trust they have placed in me. I know that I am leaving a family, I know all the people in the team and I like them. I was able to learn to speak French, which is something extraordinary for me. Sunday will be a special race. I’m a bit sad to leave this cocoon, but I think people understand my choice as a British rider to sign for a team in my country. I hope to have a great time in my last race in the Arkéa-Samsic jersey, with lots of emotion and intensity and a great performance for the team”.

Sébastien Hinault, Sport-Director

The briefing

“The Rik Van Stenbergen Memorial is a race that takes place east of Antwerp and should in principle be won by a sprinter. But, as is often the case in Belgium, the weather conditions can change the outcome, especially if the wind picks up. This will be the last race of the season and I feel that the riders are still motivated, especially in view of our objective to enter the UCI WorldTour category from 2023. In any case, we will have arguments to put forward according to the situations that could arise in the race, with riders capable of slipping into the shots and a sprinter Dan McLay. It will also be Connor Swift’s last competition in our colours and no doubt he will want to do well”.

Riders

Daniel McLay