ProTeam Victor Campenaerts finishes Vuelta in 7th place

Victor Campenaerts was the 25th rider, and the first from his team, to enter the arena in Madrid for this final day of the Vuelta. Averaging just under 54 kilometers per hour over the 24.6-kilometer course, he occupied the hot seat for a while. “I felt much better than during the first time trial of this Vuelta,” Campenaerts said afterward. “Of course, I did feel the fatigue after three weeks of racing, but it wasn’t a tough track, and I had reasonably good legs.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for a podium finish. The Lotto Dstny time trial specialist ultimately had to settle for a respectable 7th place. “An urban course is always tricky. You can never really recon such a time trial, except during the official reconnaissance. There were a few tricky corners where I didn’t go through very fast. It’s always risky to crash in a city. I rode a good time trial, but it wasn’t a stellar day.”

With the time trial in Madrid, this Vuelta has come to an end. Campenaerts looks back on it with mixed feelings. “Lennert Van Eetvelt’s withdrawal was a big disappointment for us. His general classification was our goal. When that falls through, it’s hard to keep the motivation high. Moreover, I had made winning a stage my personal goal, and that didn’t happen. In Santander, I came close, and this time trial also offered opportunities, but unfortunately, we’re returning home empty-handed, which is a shame.”

Picture: PhotoNews