Development Luca Van Boven wins U23 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Lotto Soudal Development rider Luca Van Boven has won the U23 version of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The 22-year-old Belgian from Sint-Lievens-Houtem was eager to deliver a top performance in his own region and so he did. Van Boven finished solo and puts his name next to Arnaud De Lie, who won the U23 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last year. Teammate Jelle Harteel remains the leader in the U23 Road Series.

“As a local rider, I of course made a big goal of this race. Moreover, we passed through my hometown in the very final of the race, which really gave me goosebumps. Finishing solo is just amazing”, says Luca Van Boven.

“On the Wolvenberg – where our team would make the race hard – I bridged to a four-rider breakaway. With the five of us, we worked together pretty well until the Muur van Geraardsbergen, where I attacked. Only Siebe Deweirdt could follow and together, we went into the final of the race. We never had a comfortable lead and our advantage crumbled in the final five kilometres. At two kilometres from the finish, I decided to attack. I was able to sustain my effort and finished solo, a beautiful way to take the victory. The many fans and friends at the finish made it even more special.”

Following a victory at the Trofeo Citta di Meldola, Van Boven now took his second win of the season.

“Maybe the level was still a bit higher when I won in Italy, but this definitely is a nice victory as well. I was already in good shape during those Italian one-day races, so I was a bit disappointed not to be selected for the Giro d’Italia U23. But I got over that disappointment pretty soon and focused on the summer.”

The victory of Luca Van Boven is one of many the Lotto Soudal Development Team already took this season.

“We can be proud of what we performed with the Lotto Soudal Development Team so far. Everyone gives it his all for the team and we are able to win with different riders. On Wednesday, I take part in the climbing race of Herbeumont, then I’ll go on a training camp for a week. Afterwards, I hope to make the selection for Tour d’Alsace, where I have something to make right after I crashed just before the climb to La Planche des Belles Filles last year”, concludes Luca Van Boven.

Images: Flanders Classics.