Victor Campenaerts celebrates ‘very particular’ Tour de France super-combativity prize
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The rostrum on the Champs-Elysées in Paris topped the large winners of the Tour de France, from Jonas Vingegaard in his second yellow jersey to Jasper Philipsen for his equally dominant inexperienced factors jersey win.
Victor Campenaerts was additionally up there on Sunday night time, albeit not in one of many Tour’s 4 well-known jerseys. The Lotto-Dstny rider was awarded the super-combativity prize for his work all through July, an award he mentioned could not be in comparison with something he is beforehand achieved in biking.
The Belgian salvaged the race for his staff, which endured a troublesome Tour with Caleb Ewan leaving the race on stage 13 whereas Pascal Eenkhoorn and Maxim Van Gils recorded the staff’s greatest outcomes with a pair of second locations.
“That is very particular although. I’ve been on a World Championships podium [Innsbruck 2018] earlier than, which can also be very particular. However you’ll be able to’t evaluate that to this. Completely not,” Campenaerts informed Het Nieuwsblad on Sunday.
“You cross the end line right here and instantly a podium is constructed up, there will probably be a stay interview that’s reportedly broadcast in 190 international locations. That can’t be in comparison with anything. It’s extremely particular.”
Campenaerts, who has a Giro d’Italia stage win in addition to the World Hour Document – held from April 2019 to August 2022 – mentioned that taking to the rostrum in Paris to obtain his award was a much bigger spotlight than both.
“Due to the expertise of having the ability to step on the rostrum at this second, I might even put this above the World Hour Document,” he mentioned. “Subsequent week, I need to look again on it, however within the euphoria of now, it is a very good second.”
Campenaerts made the breakaway 5 instances throughout the 21 days of the Tour, together with back-to-back on phases 18 and 19 final week, the place he received the combativity prize on each days.
He was notable for his function throughout the former, the place he dropped again from the break to assist teammate Eenkhoorn bridge throughout earlier than working for the Dutchman and main out within the dash because the break held off the peloton.
He beat out Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates), Julian Alaphilippse (Soudal-QuickStep), Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën), Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Mathieu Burgaudaeau (TotalEnergies), and Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) to win the prize, which noticed voting break up 50-50 between followers and a jury.
“I completely didn’t count on this – it was by no means a aim,” Campenaerts mentioned. “It was solely after Pascal Eenkhoorn managed to flee the peloton dash [on stage 18], there was speak that if we might get within the breakaway once more, that who is aware of, I might win the super-combativity prize. Earlier than that, that had by no means crossed my thoughts. I’m very content material.”
Lotto-Dstny directeur sportif Mario Aerts informed Het Nieuwsblad that Campenaerts “was tremendous motivated each morning” and motivated his teammates all through the race together with his perspective.
“Day by day he has a plan in thoughts, in order that’s good. He is been out for a very long time and wasn’t totally ready for this Tour however within the Dauphiné we noticed that he simply needed to go along with it. I believe he is by no means been higher,” Aerts mentioned.
“Victor is somebody who will get the others concerned. It is half teamwork, however above all, he is the instigator who motivates everybody. I believe that the followers take pleasure in it too.
“As Mohorič identified in his interview after his stage win, all riders endure, however Victor handles that very nicely. Yesterday morning he mentioned: ‘I’ve sore legs however I will strive anyway’ – take a look at that mentality.”
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