Development Liam Van Bylen takes first victory in the Belgian champion’s jersey at the West Bohemia Tour

Stage two of the West Bohemia Tour covered 151 kilometers today, starting and finishing in Klatovy. On paper, not really something suited for Van Bylen. “I didn’t have much confidence in the eight-kilometer climb that was part of the route,” he laughs. “I didn’t know if I would make it, but Mauro (Cuylits) and Leon (Taillieu) never left my side. That way, we managed to get within thirty seconds of the breakaway riders at the top. We rode the climb perfectly.”

The five-rider breakaway stayed ahead for several more kilometers. “In the finale, there were still some small climbs, and I was really on my limit. With two kilometers to go, we still hadn’t caught those guys. We had to give everything we had to close the gap… and with success, because in the last 500 meters, it all came back together, and we could sprint with a reduced group. Victor (Vaneeckhoutte) brought me to the front perfectly. At first, I thought I was too far back, because I only entered the last chicane in fourth position, but apparently, I still had enough left in the legs to sprint.”

Victor Vaneeckhoutte also moves up two places in the general classification after today’s stage, putting him in second place. “Tomorrow will be a hectic day,” Van Bylen looks ahead. “Everything is still open; the top three are very close together.”

Picture: West Bohemia Tour