Development Keije Solen hands Lotto-Groupe Wanty second consecutive stage win at Tour de l’Avenir

The peloton was once again faced with a hectic stage, although Lotto-Groupe Wanty was always well positioned. “The echelons formed early on and we were all well positioned in the first group. Leader Niels (Driesen) was there as well and was riding really strongly,” explains Solen.

Several crashes then disrupted the race. “I hit the ground pretty hard twice myself.” The race was subsequently neutralised until the 10-kilometre mark. From there, the GC time was taken and the sprinters could battle it out for the stage win. “I was still feeling quite a lot of pain from the crash, but I wanted to get involved in the sprint. I had nothing to lose anymore.”

In the final kilometres, Solen received a perfect lead-out. “In the last two kilometres, Tars (Poelvoorde) came from nowhere and was incredibly strong. He positioned me perfectly. Without him, it definitely wouldn’t have been possible. I’m very grateful for his teamwork, but also for the work of the whole team.”

Solen entered the final corner in second position and waited for his moment. “I looked back, saw that nobody was going, and chose my own moment to attack. When I looked back again, I already had a few bike lengths. Winning like this feels really great,” concludes Solen.

Niels Driesen did lose his leader’s jersey after the second stage to Kasper Haugland. Both riders are still on the same time in the overall classification, but Haugland takes the yellow jersey based on finishing positions.

Photo: Tour de L'Avenir