"Of course he chose that room with naked women on the wall" - Victor Campenaerts recalls hilarious story about Arnaud De Lie

Victor Campenaerts has been keen to help guide his fellow Belgian and Lotto Dstny teammate Arnaud De Lie in his journey as a professional cyclist. Speaking at the team presentation in Mechelen however, Campenaerts left his compatriot rather embarrassed.

"In consultation with my girlfriend, who is a pharmacist, I have made the decision to also move to Spain," Campenaerts' story to In de Leiderstrui begins. "It would mean a big change in life, especially for her, but luckily she was open to it. You can start a pharmacy anywhere and at any time, but not necessarily a cycling career. In terms of course, postponing something for three years is of course not possible."

"It's very pleasant there. We live just east of Malaga, actually in the middle of nowhere. We have chosen an idyllic house, so that is very nice. It was a bit kitschy, but we both thought it was fantastic. I don't think you see two square inches of regular wall in that entire house," he laughs as the story begins to kick up a gear. "It's really full of all kinds of paintings."

When Arnaud De Lie came to visit, the talented youngster was impressed by one set of paintings in particular. "There is a room with only paintings of horses, one with paintings of cats. And there is also one with only naked women on the wall. I can't sleep in that again! It's the guest room. Arnaud De Lie, for example, has already slept there. He had a choice of two rooms, but he definitely went for that one!" Campenaerts recalls to an uproar of laughter.

Clearly though, Campenaerts is a big fan of his young teammate. "I think Arnaud is capable of a lot. When you see how he rode in the Omloop last year, that actually says enough. In all races outside Milan-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, I would really consider him one of the biggest favourites," he says.

"He is also a contender in those biggest competitions. Once he's in top form, there are few who can ride him off a slope. Then it really has to come from someone like Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel or Wout van Aert. And if you ride to the finish with Arnaud, you won't just beat him."