ProTeam 4th European time trial title for Alec Segaert

There was little anyone could do against Alec Segaert in Limburg. Segaert, who had already been European time trial champion as a junior and repeated this feat in the past two years as an under-23 rider, started as the top favorite on home soil and easily lived up to the expectation. By the first two intermediate time checks, it was clear that he was on his way to taking gold again for the fourth consecutive year. At the finish, he clocked in with an average speed of 53.3 kilometers per hour, finishing half a minute faster than Sweden’s Jakob Söderqvist. “This event clearly suits me,” Alec Segaert beamed afterwards. “It feels especially good to keep this title and not have to give it up.”

“I started out a bit conservatively, knowing that the wind in the second part could make the difference. But when I heard I was already half a minute faster at the first checkpoint, it gave me that extra motivation to keep pushing. After that, I could just enjoy the ride.”

Robin Orins (22) also set a strong early time this afternoon. Only three riders managed to beat his, resulting in an impressive fourth place finish. “I had the form to grab a medal, but watching Alec win is really something,” he said. “We’re sharing a room here, and thanks to him, my mindset was fully focused on this time trial, so it’s partly thanks to him that I finished fourth.”

For Segaert, this marks his fourth European time trial title. “Each one has been special. The first, as a junior, was great because it was my first. The second, in my first year as a U23, was a surprise, and the third was emotional because my teammate Tijl De Decker had just passed away. Now, winning on Belgian soil… They all hold a special place in my heart. I rode this time trial in the U23 category because I’ve set my sights on the World Championships, where I still want to compete in this category. I hope to showcase myself in the pro ranks next year.”

Picture: PhotoNews