ProTeam Lotto Dstny to the Tour de France
On Saturday 29th June this year’s Tour de France will take off in the city of Florence, Italy. The Lotto Dstny Team will tackle the 21 stages, with a diverse team, in the search of a stage win. Maxim Van Gils, Arnaud De Lie, Victor Campenaerts, Brent Van Moer, Jarrad Drizners, Harm Vanhoucke, Sébastien Grignard and Cedric Beullens are ready for three weeks of racing on the highest level. Unfortunately Andreas Kron didn’t get ready on time for the Tour, due to the consequences of his crash in the Dauphiné. Sports Manager Kurt Van de Wouwer gives his view on the Tour squad.
Maxim Van Gils, who got close to a stage win already in his first participation last year, earned his spot in the Tour team after a magnificent spring. “Maxim did a great Tour debut last year, coming close to that win. The goal is to go for a stage win with him, but of course we know that won’t be easy.”
Arnaud De Lie, who just became Belgian champion on the road, makes his first appearance at the Grande Boucle next week. “Arnaud goes to the Tour without any pressure, as it’s his first participation we don’t put any expectations around him. He goes there to learn and gain experience, of course there are some stages that suit him and in sprints he can try his chance, but without any musts.”
“Initially Harm wasn’t on the longlist, but his good results and his personal desire to go, made us choose him. He deserves the selection and in the mountain or hilly stages he can also try to go in a breakaway. Jarrad and Cedric will both help Arnaud in the leadouts. Victor can bring a lot of experience and calmness in the young group of riders we bring and he was the most combative rider last year. He just became a father, so he had a bit of a different preparation but we know he will be ready 100%.”
“Further on, Brent can also go his own chance, he has proven in the past he’s capable of that. Sébastien is someone we can always count on. He’s always there. Looking to the team we have a strong group, hopefully we can make it a beautiful Tour de France together”, Kurt Van de Wouwer says.
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