Development U23 rider Alec Segaert takes silver at worlds time trial

Alec Segaert took second place at the U23 worlds time trial. The first year U23 rider, who recently signed a three-year contract with Lotto Dstny, only had to tolerate top favorite Søren Waerenskjold in front of him, after he had ridden an almost perfect time trial himself.

Afterwards, Alec Segaert could only be very satisfied with his performance. “My pacing plan was made by my brother Loïc, who is also my trainer and in who I have full confidence”, said Alec Segaert. “We have been working on it until almost the last minute because of the changes in wind direction. Despite such a plan, it is always difficult not to start too fast during a world championship: with all that encouragement along the road and also in your mind from the people you know are watching at home. It was important to hold back a bit in the first lap. I think I managed that well and I still had something in the tank for the second lap.”

Alec Segaert had the fastest time after that first lap, with a small lead on top favorite Søren Waerenskjold. “After the halfway mark, I knew that I had about the same time as Søren Waerenskjold, who I knew had ridden a fantastic second lap. He is in his final year as an U23 rider and thus has some more experience and body. From then on, I knew winning was going to be difficult, but silver behind Søren Waerenskjold would also be great for me. I kept going full gas to achieve that, I gave it my all and am very happy with this silver medal.”

Lennert Van Eetvelt, who turns pro with Lotto Dstny next year, also took part and came in 14^th. Afterwards he said he never had the legs he wanted.