Algemeen Lorenz Van de Wynkele and sports director Wesley Van Speybroeck look ahead to Tour Alsace

Pro rider Lorenz Van de Wynkele will be joined by development riders Arne Baers, Kamiel Eeman, Liam Van Bylen, Milan Donie, and Niels Driesen. "With this lineup, we can go after stage wins as well as aim for a good general classification," says Van Speybroeck. "Driesen showed strong form in the Giro Valle d’Aosta and now, with no clear leader like Jarno Widar, he has the chance to focus on the general classification. Eeman, Donie, and Baers, who usually work in support roles, are also given the freedom here to develop themselves further and seize their own opportunities." 

With Lorenz Van de Wynkele, the team has an experienced road captain in its ranks. "Lorenz has raced the Tour Alsace twice before. His experience is a real asset to the rest of the team," says Van Speybroeck. Van de Wynkele himself is looking forward to getting back into competition: "I’ve had a solid training block and feel like my body has responded well to the efforts. I’m aiming to support the team as much as possible, but I’ll also keep an eye out for any chances to go for a stage myself." 

In a bunch sprint, the team will be counting on Liam Van Bylen. “Liam is our designated sprinter”, says Van Speybroeck. “Stage two looks like one for the sprinters, so we’ll focus on getting him into a good position. With a solid lead-out, which we definitely have, he’ll get the chance to show he can win at this level too.”

The race opens with a short team time trial in trios. “That’s a discipline that suits us,” says Van Speybroeck. “The course record over the 4.3-kilometre route still belongs to a Lotto trio. We’ve already won the time trial twice and we’ll try to be in the mix for the win again this year." Stage two starts among the rollercoasters of Europa-Park and should be one for the sprinters. On day three, La Planche des Belles Filles will be the first real test for the GC riders. Stage four features a series of short climbs that will favour the punchers. The final stage, with a summit finish on the Champ du Feu, is likely to decide the overall standings.

Photo: PhotoNews