"The only difference between us and Visma or INEOS is our communication" - Lotto Dstny boss insists Jarno Widar can reach the top with his team

Jarno Widar is widely touted as one of the brightest stars for the future of Belgian cycling. In recent weeks and months however, there has been growing rumours of discontent in the Widar camp with the uncertainty of the future prospects of Lotto Dstny.

"Let me say one thing about that: Jarno Widar has a contract with us," Stéphane Heulot, CEO of Lotto insists in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. "In life you have rights and obligations. He was given the right to sign with us last year, now he has the obligation to honour that contract. I can't say more about that."

On the rumours that Widar isn't completely happy with Lotto Dstny, Heulot is firm. "That’s blah blah blah. We just extended our partnership with Ghent University for four years. Our performance is even being strengthened. I accept that people ask questions, but be informed. The only difference between us and Visma or INEOS is our communication in that area," he responds bullishly. "It’s true that we don’t advertise everything. Is that wrong? Maybe. But should we also put stickers on a camper, put some screens in it and put an antenna on the roof and start talking about a Control Room? Knowing full well that it’s not even allowed."

"That’s all fun for the media and your image. But believe me: there’s almost no difference between us and those teams in terms of support. Another thing: Jarno said after the Tour de l’Avenir that he has to race too much with us. The truth is that he had 45 racing days before the Tour de l’Avenir. There were guys in the Tour de l’Avenir who easily had ten more racing days," Heulot concludes his assessment. "Oh, Jarno is still young. I think he himself has now understood that he was wrong to say those things.”