ProTeam Lotto Dstny targets collective performance at Belgian opening weekend

The long-awaited Belgian opening weekend is finally here. In the traditional spring Classics’ openers Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (1.UWT) and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (1.Pro), the peloton will hit the hills and cobbles again for the first time in 2023.

Lotto Dstny aims for a strong collective performance in the Belgian opening weekend and indicated Victor Campenaerts and Arnaud De Lie as the two prominent riders. De Lie will be at the start of his first ever full opening weekend, where the primary focus is especially on gathering experience. For Victor Campenaerts, the Omloop will be the first race of his season after a long preparation. Campenaerts shows himself ambitious and fully confident in a strong Lotto Dstny team.

Victor Campenaerts: “Just like many others, I am really looking forward to the start of the Belgian races. The entire team is very eager and I also can’t wait to race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Personally, the fifth place last year – despite all the bad luck in the race – has given me a huge boost. For the rest of the ’22 spring Classics but also for the start of this new campaign. That is why I want to do better than a fifth place in the Omloop this year. But of course I’m not alone, we have a strong team that sticks together really well. We want to play a prominent role in the race and need to make use of our collective strength.”

Arnaud De Lie already showed his excellent shape, but the 20-year-old Belgian is realistic.

Arnaud De Lie: “I look very much forward to be at the start of my first full opening weekend. It is nice to be named as one of the favourites and of course, I’m hoping to race a good result as well but I don’t see myself as the big favourite. There are many other strong teams at the start, that aren’t talked about a lot. The most important thing is for me to gather as much experience as possible, but it is also clear that I need to take the opportunities if they arise.”

“A lot will depend on how the race unfolds, but it’s up to us to always stay attentive. I have my strong sprint as an additional card to play, but counting on your sprint in cobbled Classics is often not the best tactic. The short uphill efforts should suit me as well and if the situation allows it, I will of course also look to join interesting moves. Which is also the case for my Lotto Dstny teammates”, concludes De Lie.

Images: Photo News.