Vermeersch reveals online abuse after chasing Wout van Aert in Dwars door Vlaanderen
The Spring Classics have brought Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) close to a breakthrough win, but the aftermath of Dwars door Vlaanderen exposed a harsher side of modern cycling. The Belgian revealed he received hate messages and even minor threats following his role in the race finale.
Vermeersch, who impressed with podium finishes at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Classic, became a talking point after the closing kilometres of Dwars door Vlaanderen. As he helped close the gap to Wout van Aert, the move ultimately opened the door for Filippo Ganna to attack and take victory.
The reaction from fans was immediate and, at times, harsh.
“I was quite shocked,” Vermeersch said during an appearance on Sporza’s “Vive le Vélo, leve de Ronde!” show. “It was the first time I received hate messages and small threats. I wasn’t in a good place for a moment. It hit me harder than I expected. But I’ve been able to put it into perspective now. Still, it’s confronting. It happens everywhere nowadays.”
Despite the backlash, Vermeersch stood by his actions in the race. In a chaotic finale, he insisted he was simply racing for his own chance.
“As for the race, I just gave everything I had. That was my last chance to win,” he explained. “After that right hand turn, I got a cramp in my hamstrings and couldn’t do much more. When I then see Ganna win, of course you start thinking, but that’s cycling.”
In the same show teammate Tadej Pogačar was quick to highlight Vermeersch’s form across the Classics, suggesting that results have not yet fully reflected his performances.
“Florian could have won both E3 and In Flanders Fields,” Pogačar said. “He’s been really strong. They were great races to watch. I send him a message after every race. This time I asked him, why don’t you just win?” he added with a smile.
Vermeersch laughed off the remark, but underlined the support he receives within the team. “He always gives constructive feedback, but most of the time he just congratulates me. He’s a good teammate, at least for now,” he said jokingly.
Given his strong performances, Vermeersch is expected to play a key role on Sunday in supporting Tadej Pogačar in his pursuit of a third Tour of Flanders victory, especially in the absence of Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narváez due to injuries.
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