ProTeam Clément Venturini strengthens Lotto-Intermarché for two seasons
Clément Venturini joining Lotto-Intermarché is the result of a story that has been unfolding for more than a year. “Jean-François Bourlart and I were already in talks last year,” Venturini explains. “But then the merger between Intermarché-Wanty and Lotto Cycling Team happened and the team turned out to be full. I really thought the story was over, but here we are… We always stayed in touch. The fact that I can now, a year later, still sign for Lotto-Intermarché makes it even more special.”
Venturini is a rider who can perform on a wide range of terrain. As a puncheur, he feels most at home in tough one-day races with hilly finales. “Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race… that’s my terrain. But I don’t only want to be there at those moments. There are plenty of races throughout the season where I can take my chance. I hadn’t won for a few years, but this season I was able to taste victory again, at La Roue Tourangelle. That gives me confidence and, above all, a lot of motivation to build on that next year. I want to achieve as many strong results as possible again and score important UCI points for the team. My ambition to perform myself is definitely still there, but at the same time, I’m also looking forward to sharing my experience. I’m 32 now and have quite a few seasons in my legs. I’d like to take on that role as an adviser.”
Apart from this season with the Unibet Rose Rockets, Venturini has always raced for French teams. As a Frenchman, he is happy to now join a Belgian team. “I’ve noticed that I really appreciate that international environment,” he says. “I enjoyed the different environment and different way of working last season. And I’ve certainly improved my English a lot (laughs). It also means that I’m now joining Lotto-Intermarché with an open mind. Moreover, with Intermarché, there is still a French side to this team. I think I’ll fit in very well here. I also simply have good memories of this team. I vividly remember Tony Gallopin taking the yellow jersey at the Tour in 2014… That was also in a Lotto jersey (Lotto-Belisol at the time, ed.).”
CEO Jean-François Bourlart is also pleased that, following their earlier talks, Venturini is now making the move to Lotto-Intermarché after all. “Clément is a rider we have wanted to bring to our team for quite some time. He is a very complete and experienced rider who can achieve results himself in tough races, but who can also be extremely valuable to the riders around him. With his experience, race intelligence and profile as a puncheur, he brings qualities that perfectly complement our squad. We are therefore very happy that we can now finally welcome him to Lotto-Intermarché.”
Picture: PhotoNews
