ProTeam Lennert Van Eetvelt impresses with fourth place in penultimate Vuelta stage

Following a third spot in stage 14 towards Larra-Belagua, Lotto Dstny youngster Lennert Van Eetvelt has shown himself again during his first Grand Tour. In a stage for attackers, the 22-year-old Belgian was part of five riders that would sprint for victory at the end of a tough stage 20 at La Vuelta. The stage win went to Wout Poels, Van Eetvelt got rewarded with a 4^th place for his strong Vuelta a Espana.

With a 200-kilometre stage and no less than ten official climbs, the Vuelta peloton awaited one last hard day before the final stage towards Madrid.  Soon after the start, a group of 31 riders formed including three of Lotto Dstny: Andreas Kron, Sylvain Moniquet and Lennert Van Eetvelt. Soon the tactical game between the breakaway started but eventually Soudal Quick-Step, with four rider in the break, would control the day for Evenepoel. Everything would be decided  on the Alto San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the final climb of the day. On the steep slopes, the Dutchman Wout Poels launched an impressive attack   and only the young Lotto Dstny rider Lennert Van Eetvelt was initially able to follow. Eventually,  five riders remained who would sprint for victory in Guadarrama: Evenepoel, Soler, Poels, Sanchez and Van Eetvelt.  It was the Dutchman Poels who showed the fastest, Van Eetvelt had to settle for 4^th place.

Van Eetvelt  was happy with his result but also showed ambitious towards the future. “Today was a final chance and soon a big and strong group rode away.  After a hard day out with the many hills, I still felt good. Maybe I just went over my limit a bit to follow Poels when he attacked but luckily I could be part of the five guys sprinting for victory in the end. Honestly, I didn’t expect the move of Poels in the sprint but I’m not sure more than a fourth place was possible today. It’s maybe a pity but I’m definitely very happy with this first Grand Tour experience. I really love this kind of racing and I hope to show myself a lot more in the future”, concludes Van Eetvelt.

Image: Photo News.