Development Alec Segaert powers to U23 European time trial title

Alec Segaert conquered the European U23 time trial title in Anadia, Portugal. The 19-year-old Belgian, who became European junior champion last year, covered the 22 kilometres in a time of 27’26” and that was 50 seconds faster than the Croatian rider Fran Miholjevic. Frenchman Eddy Le Huitouze, third at 52 seconds, completed the top three.

Alec Segaert: “It’s incredible. I was very happy with the European title last year as a second-year junior. To do it over today as a first-year U23 rider is something I hadn’t expected. Definitely not with an advantage of 50 seconds. This is crazy. I thought before the start, that finishing on the podium would be great. The other guys are also very strong. We didn’t have an international reference time trial this year, but I saw them in the Giro and other races, so I knew there were also very strong. But winning with an advantage of 50 seconds is crazy. I have no words for it. I am very proud of this performance.”

Alec Segaert meticulously prepared for this time trial, so he tells.

“This was one of the toughest time trials I have ridden. This course fitted me perfectly with a lot of intervals. On the short climbs I could use all my power and in the short descent I could always get a moment to recover before going full again. I knew every pothole on the course. During the recon I had taken the corners as if I was in a race so I knew at which speed I could go into each corner. This morning I sat in the car behind Jens Verbrugghe during his time trial. Also that helped me to visualize the perfect lines.”

“During my time trial, Belgian coach Serge Pauwels cheered me on. He was also in the car behind me last year. He also gave me the necessary directions. When you are going full that definitely helps. I saw Miholjevic riding in front of me, but it was only after the finish that I realized what kind of a time I had set. Then I needed to wait a few minutes till everyone had arrived.”

On Sunday Alec participates in the road race together with Lotto Soudal teammate Lennert Van Eetvelt. Alec hopes to achieve a nice result with the Belgian team.

“For me, these European Championships are already a success. The past days, I completely focused on the time trial so I haven’t done a recon of the course for Sunday yet, but as of tomorrow I will shift my focus. We have a strong Belgian team. My next big personal goal are the Worlds in Australia in September. I would love to win a medal in the time trial. But there will be even more opponents of course. Anyway, my season is already a success.”

Image: UEC Cycling