ProTeam Lotto–Intermarché ready to take on the white roads of Strade Bianche
# Lotto–Intermarché Gears Up for Strade Bianche Challenge
Lotto–Intermarché is set to embark on its next adventure in Tuscany, ready to tackle the famed Strade Bianche. With its iconic gravel sectors capable of shaping the outcome of the race long before the finish line, the team emphasizes the importance of positioning and collaboration throughout the event.
“We aim to stay attentive from the early phases and anticipate the key accelerations that typically define Strade Bianche long before the final kilometres,” a team spokesperson stated. Despite recent adjustments to the race course, including the removal of two gravel sectors, the challenge remains daunting. Rider Lennert Van Eetvelt remarked, “Even though they removed two gravel sectors, it’s still going to be a hard one. For a second, I forgot how tough this race is going to be.”
The Lotto–Intermarché squad is composed of a versatile and motivated lineup, featuring talented riders such as Van Eetvelt, Jenno Berckmoes, Reuben Thompson, Simone Gualdi, Liam Slock, Mathieu Kockelmann, and Matthew Fox. Sports Director Mario Aerts expressed confidence in their chances, stating, “We’ve come to Siena with Lennert Van Eetvelt and Jenno Berckmoes as our riders capable of aiming for a strong result. Lennert has already achieved several good results in this race, and with Jenno’s cyclocross background we truly believe we can approach the race with ambition.”
Reflecting on last year’s performance, where Van Eetvelt secured an impressive ninth-place finish, he noted, “It’s always a race I look forward to. I’ve already managed to perform well here, but we all know it’s an extremely tough race. With Strade Bianche you never really know how it will unfold — you can’t force things.” Although teammate Jarno could not participate due to illness, Van Eetvelt remains optimistic about racing alongside Berckmoes, stating, “I hope we can go far together.”
As the team prepares to hit the white roads of Strade Bianche, the anticipation builds for a gripping showdown in the scenic hills of Tuscany.
