Louis Vervaeke honours wife with emotional Il Lombardia tribute to Antoine Demoitié

Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step) paid an emotional tribute to his wife Astrid and her late first husband Antoine Demoitié at Il Lombardia last Saturday. 

Demoitié died in 2016 after he was involved in a crash during Gent-Wevelgem before being struck by a motorbike. Before marrying Vervaeke, Astrid had been married to Demoitié. 

Vervaeke spent more than 180km in the breakaway before being the first rider to reach the summit of the Madonna del Ghisallo, earning the Pier Luigi Todisco Memorial Prize and eventually finishing 34th. 

Speaking at the finish, Vervaeke explained the personal significance to his wife and also to Demoitié who continues to be honoured at the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel in Italy.

“Because I’m married to Astrid Collinge and she was married before with Antoine Demoitié, and sadly he passed away in Gent-Wevelgem after an accident with a motorbike,” said Vervaeke.

“And I was once on holiday here with Astrid when we were just together. And then we passed the chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo and I showed her the place where all the cyclists who died have their place.”

“And then we sent also a picture of Antoine, so he has his place in this Madonna chapel,” he added. 

Last Saturday’s race on October 10, also coincided with the anniversary of Astrid’s marriage to Demoitié, adding another layer of significance to Vervaeke’s performance.

“I was really happy I could take the prize for her. It’s a really special day also because today they are I think 11 or 10 years married. October 10 is a really special day for her, so I’m really emotional I could take the prize for her," Vervaeke said.