Development Keije Solen looks back with satisfaction on strong team performance in the Province Cycling Tour

With Thibaut Bernard, Mathias De Keersmaeker, Tars Poelvoorde, Keije Solen and Lorenz Van de Wynkele, Lotto-Groupe Wanty lined up a versatile squad for the stage race in the Province of Liège. The team made its intentions clear from the opening stage. On the hilly course, Mathias De Keersmaeker sprinted to third place. A day later, Lorenz Van de Wynkele also finished third after the uphill finish in Chaudfontaine.

The breakthrough came in stage three. After a hectic finale, Keije Solen sprinted to victory. "I made it a bit tricky by missing the first echelon with twenty kilometres to go, but fortunately I managed to bridge across together with a few other riders. I rejoined the front group two kilometres from the finish and I felt so good that I already had the feeling I could win. It worked out perfectly. It was still very close on the line, but nobody will be talking about that a year from now."

On the final day, the team maintained its impressive run of results. In the hilly morning stage, De Keersmaeker sprinted to second place, while Tars Poelvoorde claimed third place in the concluding individual time trial later that afternoon.

Solen was also pleased that a different rider stepped up every day. "We delivered a strong collective performance, with podium finishes from several different riders. I think that once again shows what a strong team we have overall."

Solen eventually finished fourth in the overall classification, just three seconds short of the podium. "I would have liked to make the podium. Maybe there were still a few seconds to gain in the time trial, but in the end I was simply beaten on merit. It were four really good days and I felt great throughout the race. I'll take that confidence into the next races and the coming weeks."