Lotto Soudal Shines with Strong Team Performance at Circuit Franco-Belge

Lotto Soudal showcased their strength as a team in the 81st edition of the Circuit Franco-Belge (1.Pro) with an impressive performance. The Belgian WorldTeam rode aggressively throughout the race, resulting in a decisive move in the final local lap in La Louvière. Jasper De Buyst, Alexander Kristoff, and Dries Van Gestel went on the attack, defending a small advantage in the last twenty kilometers. Victor Campenaerts later bridged to the lead group with a remarkable acceleration.

Ultimately, four riders battled for victory, with De Buyst leading the front group in the final kilometer. Campenaerts launched his sprint early in an attempt to surprise his competitors but had to settle for third place, with Kristoff claiming the win and Van Gestel in second. Despite the result, Campenaerts expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “This may be a disappointment, but as a team we can be proud of this performance. We try to continue like this in the races to come.”

Lotto Soudal’s Arnaud De Lie secured the overall victory in the Exterioo Cycling Cup with a sixth-place finish. De Lie commented, “Our offensive style of racing ensured that we came into a winning position, and we can’t blame ourselves for anything. I felt really good today but at the end, my energy resources were getting depleted. But of course, I am really happy with this result and the overall victory in the Exterioo Cycling Cup.”

Jasper De Buyst, who initiated the decisive move, acknowledged the strength of his competitors, particularly Kristoff, but expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. “Following a season full of bad luck, it feels nice to be up there again, riding for the top places,” De Buyst said.

The Circuit Franco-Belge marked Caleb Ewan’s first race after the Tour, but he abandoned the race before the finish. Ewan’s next race will be the Bemer Cyclassics Hamburg.

Images: Maxime Van der Wielen.