Despite huge UCI points boost, Campenaerts leaves Eurométropole Tour with disappointment: "We came for more"

Lotto Soudal has taken an important step in it's fight for maintenenace today, scoring almost half the points of disadvantage it had over Movistar Team. Victor Campenaerts led the team to the finish, with a strong third place, however just outside of his expectations.

“Unfortunately, we came for more than third, fourth and sixth but this team performance really shows how strong we raced today. As a team, we were always in control but Alexander Kristoff was just a bit stronger today and also Dries Van Gestel was impressive," the 30-year old said at the finish. After his teammate Jasper de Buyst led the winning move with 19 kilometers to go, Campenaerts was the only rider who managed to bridge across in the final kilometers.

He had a strong sprint, briefly opening gap, against Alexander Kristoff, however did not manage to come away with the hoped win. "I tried to go for a surprise move in the sprint, which also succeeded. Unfortunately, I had to surrender in the final 50 metres," the Belgian detailed. "This may be a disappointment, but as a team we can be proud of this performance. We try to continue like this in the races to come.”

Despite the lack of a win, today's performance from Lotto Soudal earned them 295 points, a big and very important boost for the team's campaign into trying to survive in the World Tour. After winning the Tour of Leuven, Campenaerts has finally gotten himself back on strong form and is helping the team in a goal that is nevertheless not the priority.

Arnaud De Lie, who sprinted to sixth place, also sealed the win at the Exterioo Cup of which the race was a part of. "As a team we did really well. Our offensive style of racing ensured that we came into a winning position and we can’t blame ourselves for anything," he said. "I felt really good today but at the end, my energy resources were getting depleted. But of course I am really happy with this result and the overall victory in the Exterioo Cycling Cup".