Victor Campenaerts new Belgian TT Champion

Victor Campenaerts became the Belgian Time Trial Champion with a time of 46’18" over 38 kilometres. The Team LottoNL-Jumbo cyclist was three seconds faster than Yves Lampaert (Etixx). Ben Hermans (BMC) was third with a gap of 12 seconds. Sep Vanmarcke placed fifth.

After the first intermediate point at 14 kilometers, it became clear he would be among Lampaert, Hermans and Campenaerts. Lampaert had the fastest time ahead of Hermans and Campenaerts. This was also the top three after 24 kilometers and Campenaerts remained at eight seconds behind Lampaert.

"Everything went well, I felt that everything was good and that it could be my day today," said Campenaerts. "I am very happy, I've lived for this since the winter. Last year, I did not pace my race well and I did so perfectly this year. I used to swim and race triathlon, which are of course just like time trials, so I am good at spliting a race into sections."

“Campenaerts kept himself disciplined to the plan," said Trainer Mathieu Heijboer. "Last year, Campenaerts broke down in the last part and he learned a lot from that. He divided his race well and the time trial was only secured in the last part.

“We have a lot of confidence in Campenaerts, this was an important goal for a long time. Unfortunately, his preparation was upset by a crash in Romandie forcing him to miss the Giro. Then he just got sick so you could not call his preparation spotless."

"My time trials have always been good, but I did not win much," said the new champion. "I am glad that this works as a professional in my third year. I hope I can use my time trial in the future to shine in short stage races.”

Sep Vanmarcke

Sep Vanmarcke finished fifth after he was at the first intermediate point a second slower than his team-mate Campenaerts. Heijboer added, "According to the team, Vanmarcke achieved a great fifth place, but he suffered from the heat a bit."

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