Development Victor Vaneeckhoutte claims overall victory in the West Bohemia Tour

Victor Vaneeckhoutte began the third and final stage of the West Bohemia Tour as the leader with a one-minute advantage. "The message was to control the race," says a happy Vaneeckhoutte, who secured his first and second victories of the season in the Czech Republic. "I pulled away from the rest in the GC, but the five riders behind me were much closer together in the general classification, so they all went full out. Moreover, on the last day, everyone still wants to try something. So it was not a guaranteed win beforehand. But the team helped me tremendously. I have to give a special thanks to Steffen (De Schuyteneer), Milan (De Ceuster), and Tars (Poelvoorde). I just had to follow the classification leaders, and that worked out well."

For Vaneeckhoutte, the victory comes as a relief after difficult weeks and months. "I’ve had quite a few knee problems. Two months ago, I was openly wishing for the season to end quickly so I could already focus on next year... And now look. I didn’t expect this victory at all anymore."

Victor Vaneeckhoutte won the first stage and, except for the prologue, rode in the yellow jersey throughout the entire race. Steffen De Schuyteneer also has reason to celebrate. He finished second in the second stage and third in the final stage, securing the points jersey. Vaneeckhoutte's victory in the West Bohemia Tour brings the Lotto Dstny Development Team to 30 wins this season.

Picture: West Bohemia Tour