The urge to pop at Lotto-Soudal is one of the findings of the preparation races of the past few weeks. Does the Belgian team continue in the agreements that are really important? In De Tribune, the Lotto performances were analyzed by Karl Vannieuwkerke, José De Cauwer and Thijs Zonneveld.
It was once different: Lotto-Soudal heads to the Flemish opening weekend with 7 victories.
“The preparedness” of Lotto-Soudal, “the switch” and “the new vibe” were also noticed by the guests in De Tribune. Although there is a nuance: “First win is cat purr.”
In addition to the relegation battle in the WorldTour, anyone who wants to explain the turnaround will naturally also end up with Victor Campenaerts. He has returned to the old nest and has taken his professional approach with him.
“He drove very well in the autumn, but also very stupid. If he is a little smarter now, he is eligible to win,” analyzes Karl Vannieuwkerke.
Victor Campenaerts still thinks like a time trialist and puts everyone at Lotto-Soudal on edge.
“He still experiences his sport as a time trialist”, adds Thijs Zonneveld about the conversion of the hour record holder. “He is extremely focused on details.”
“You have two teams: teams based on scientific insights and on the other hand, teams that are slightly more traditional. Campenaerts is the exponent of the first part.”
“That is precisely why he is so important to Lotto. Keeping up with the latest developments was sometimes lacking.”
“I now see that Tim Wellens drives with an even narrower steering wheel. Campenaerts puts everyone on edge.”
| Lotto-Soudal’s victories in 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tim Wellens | Serra de Tramuntana Trophy |
| 2. | Arnaud DeLie | Palm Trophy |
| 3. | Caleb Ewan | 1e rit Saudi Tour |
| 4. | Maxim Van Gils | 4e rit Saudi Tour |
| 5. | Maxim Van Gils | Saudi Tour final standings |
| 6. | Caleb Ewan | 1st round of the Alpes Maritimes and the Var |
| 7. | Tim Wellens | 2nd round of the Alpes Maritimes and Var |
“Blind euphoria? It could be that another dimension is added”
After a weeks-long internship in Spain without competition, Victor Campenaerts descends to the Flemish opening weekend.
He lets a new wind blow through the Belgian team, but José De Cauwer warns somewhat.
“You have to be careful not to go too far and drive the whole gang crazy. Campenaerts says openly – or almost – that he will win Dwars door Vlaanderen. I have not experienced that yet.”
“Every team will say that day: you have to sit on Campenaerts’ wheel. And then he has to release the others.”
“I would keep quiet about it. I would say anyway: on the wheel of Campenaerts. Because I think he will be the new Thomas De Gendt.”
The atmosphere seems great at Lotto, which has not been able to win the Omloop since Peter Van Petegem in 2002.
“Or should they watch out for blind euphoria? Tadej Pogacar is only now racing in the Emirates, Wout van Aert has not yet raced. It could be that another dimension is added.”
“Look at the field: there people were euphoric about the qualities of the crossers. They would approach the top 3. And guess what…”
You have to be careful not to go too far and drive the whole gang crazy. Campenaerts says openly – or almost – that he will win Dwars door Vlaanderen. I haven’t experienced that yet.
“That one chance will not come back for Florian Vermeersch”
Lotto-Soudal is also fully committed to the youth and lays many eggs in the basket of Florian Vermeersch (22) and Brent Van Moer (24).
“The bar has to be a little higher for them,” says José De Cauwer. “But winning will be very difficult.”
“I did say to Van Moer: you now have to race to win a prize. Showing the time of yourself and being satisfied with it, that time is over.”
Van Moer won a stage in the Dauphiné, Vermeersch came in 2nd in the soaking wet edition of Paris-Roubaix in October.
“I still think that’s a missed opportunity. You can say that there are more opportunities to follow, but not that one opportunity.”
“Vermeersch has to be along if there are still 25 riders left after, say, the Oude Kwaremont. Controlling the final is already a lot, I think. But he may not be released before that.”
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