"The goal is to get everything out of my final season as an U23 rider" - Lennert Van Eetvelt upbeat after strong U23 Giro

Lennert Van Eetvelt is yet another talent of the Lotto - Soudal U23 team who is already confirmed to take the leap onto the main team for the coming two seasons, and on his final year as an under-23 rider he is leaving a very strong impression on what his future will hold.

The 20-year old just finished second in the Giro d'Italia Under 23, but has taken a stage win. “Most of all I am proud but just a little disappointed as well because we gave [Leo] Hayter such a big advantage," he said, refering to stage three where the Briton took over five minutes on the Belgian. Van Eetvelt bounced back to win the queen stage atop Colle Fauniera, and completed the race only 2:12 minutes behind Hayter. "This was one of my main goals this season and beforehand I would have signed for this second place," he added.

Having won the Course de la Paix, aswell as finishing second at the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, he's consolidated himself as one of the riders with the most potential coming into the Elite ranks. He took some conclusions from the race: "With William Jr Lecerf in fourth place overall, it’s a really great achievement that we place two Lotto Soudal riders in the top five. We showed that we are part of the world’s best U23 teams. Because without fantastic team work, yesterday’s victory would not have been possible".

He's set to have a packed second half of the season where he will further be putting his climbing skills to the test. "The goal is to get everything out of my final season as an U23 rider and making the step to the pros as small as possible. That way of working is clearly paying off and we’ll see what next year brings. First it’s time for some rest before building up towards a busy but beautiful summer with the Belgian team time trial nationals, the European road championship, Giro Valle d’Aosta, Tour d’Alsace and Tour de l’Avenir," the youngster concluded.