On Sunday, Tour de l’Avenir begins, often referred to as the Tour de France for young talents. The Belgian team starts with a lot of ambition at the starting line.
In 2022, Belgium achieved significant success in the Tour of the Future. Cian Uijtdebroeks won on 2 uphill finishes and also secured the overall classification. Additionally, he claimed the top spot in the mountain classification and the young rider classification.
This year, Uijtdebroeks is not participating, but Belgium still approaches the race with determination. The team consists of Lars Craps, Gil Geders, Williams Junior Lecerf, Alec Segaert, Vlad Vanmechelen, and Jonathan Vervenne.
“I have the opportunity this year, and I’m aiming for a top 10 placement in the overall classification,” Lecerf told Wielerflits. “This is one of my major goals for this season, and there might even be more potential.”
Teammate Craps (both ride for the Soudal Quick-Step development team) has confidence in Lecerf: “I’ve closely witnessed Lecerf taking significant strides this year. He has become more of a team leader and a captain.”
Aside from Lecerf’s objective, Vanmechelen will be targeting the sprints. “But in reality, any one of us could secure a stage win,” Craps concluded.
