“I give 100% of myself” - Lotto-Intermarché's new breakaway specialist on what drives him

At 25 years of age, Baptiste Veistroffer is taking steady steps in what is still a young professional career. This year, he rides in the colours of Lotto-Intermarché, having been one of the riders who secured a contract following the team merger.

Before fully committing to cycling, he was a triathlete, although he never pursued the discipline full-time, practicing it mainly out of passion.

“If I remember correctly, when I trained for triathlon, I would do three hours on the time trial bike with intervals of about 30 minutes, 20 minutes, and 10 minutes in zone two, zone three, and zone four, plus many sessions at high power, though not at maximum power," Veistroffer said in words to Domestique.

“The skill is different, but for a rider in a breakaway it’s practically the same,” the Frenchman said explained. Like many young French riders, Veistroffer came through the club system, where his qualities attracted the attention of AG2R. He joined their development squad in August 2023 and was rewarded with a one-year professional contract.

He signed with Lotto in 2025, and this season he began the year in winning fashion, raising his arms on the second stage of the Tour of Oman. He also finished the race with a commendable second place in the competition for the green points jersey.

“I was happy, but it’s more internal for me. I was happy for myself and for the team. They always give me opportunities because they believe in me, and then I can show that it’s possible. I was super happy, but it’s only the beginning, you know. I don’t want to stop here.”

After more than 180 kilometres in the breakaway, finishing with a 14-second advantage over the day’s main favourites could have sparked huge celebrations. Yet Veistroffer remained relatively restrained.

“I don’t feel big emotions like some people. You see sprinters who want to show, ‘yes, I’m strong, I won'." He is now racing at the UAE Tour in support of the team’s general classification leader, Lennert Van Eetvelt, while also working for Steffen De Schuyteneer, Lotto-Intermarché’s option for flat sprint stages.

“I like working for the team and protecting the leader,” he assured. “If I give 100% of myself for the leader and the leader wins, I’m very happy.”