Timothy Dupont back to winning ways, explains how family life has affected him of late

Timothy Dupont let his emotions run wild after he beat Olav Kooij and Elia Viviani in the fourth stage of the ZLM Tour 2022 on Saturday afternoon. The 34-year-old rider from Bingoal-Pauwel Sauzen-WB has had a difficult time and that is why this victory was so charged for him.

"Cycling has been very difficult the last period, but the team has always kept the faith," he told reporters after his first win in almost year and a half. He explained how in the last months he has lost several family members and he explains that "you have to move on. I'm glad I can race again. You keep training, but that's fighting and not being 100% engaged in your profession."

Dupont has hence taken a very important win, propelling him back into the spotlight where he hadn't been in a very long time. He will have another opportunity to strike tomorrow, however the goal for the race is achieved. 

Dupont says despite celebrating his 35th birthday later this year he is still far too young to stop. "I would like to prolong my stay with this team and if not, I will look for something else. But it is still early in the season. The advantage is that I am a sprinter, so you ride yourself into the spotlight faster," he concluded.

After the ZLM Tour, Dupont will ride the Belgian championship, followed by an altitude training camp in Livigno to prepare the final part of his season.