ProTeam Lotto Dstny with strong team to the Vuelta
On Saturday 17th August the Lotto Dstny Team will be at the start of the 79th edition of the Vuelta a España, in Lisbon, Portugal. The 8 selected riders go for a mix of stage win hunting with general classification ambitions. Sports Manager Kurt Van de Wouwer reveals the selection.
It will be a special Vuelta for Thomas De Gendt, being his last grand tour. De Gendt has 2 stage wins already in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France and made a goal out of it to still win a stage in the Vuelta, making it two stage wins in each grand tour. “Thomas is very ambitious for his last grand tour. He wants to finish off his beautiful career in a great way. I definitely expect something of Thomas. He prepared himself in the best way, even with the help of our team’s dietician, which is quite extraordinary for him.”
Lennert Van Eetvelt showed he’s in good form, becoming third in the Clásica San Sebastián last Saturday. “Lennert began his season in a fantastic way with his win of the UAE Tour. Then after the Strade Bianche his knee problems started. Now he feels well again and his knee problems are solved. The goal we had with him in the beginning of the season remains the same: trying to go for a good general classification and seeing where his capabilities can reach during three weeks of racing.”
Andreas Kron is back on his level, after missing out on the Tour due to a crash in the Dauphiné. “The preparation of Andreas wasn’t perfect. His form is becoming better and better. Last year he immediately won a stage, the ambition is the same this time.” Victor Campenaerts, who thriumped in stage 18 of the Tour de France this year, will be at the start of the Vuelta as well. “The Vuelta starts with a time trial, which is a big goal for Victor. Of course there are other favourites, but he will go all in. On the other hand Victor is really important because of his experience, in function of Lennert’s GC ambitions.”
“Jonas Gregaard proved he's in good form during the Arctic Race of Norway. He was on the longlist of the Tour de France, at the end he missed out on the selection but he fully set his eyes on this Vuelta now. He will have a helping role, but in some stages he will also be able to go for his own chance. For Arjen Livyns it’s his first grand tour, he’s really good in positioning which is important to help Lennert. We also don’t have a real sprinter, he can go for his own chance in the bunch sprints.”
“Sylvain Moniquet has already done the Giro and the Vuelta. He’s definitely really important for Lennert in the mountain stages, but he can also try to go for it in a stage when the opportunity is there. Eduardo Sepúlveda prepared well for this Vuelta, with the Olympics on his program as well. He has a lot of experience, and as Sylvain he will be important for our team in the mountains.”
Picture: PhotoNews
