Victor Campenaerts doesn't understand Alec Segaert's decision to race with U23s despite being among elite favourites: "If you ride the way Alec rides, then you should simply start with the pros"

Victor Campenaerts clocked 6th best time among elite category at the European Championships ITT, won by Edoardo Affini. But it was the U23 champion Alec Segaert who clocked the fastest time on the 31.8 kilometer course. The 21-year-old, who would've been among favourites even in the elite category chose to grab a third U23 title instead - something Campenaerts, himself a former U23 European ITT Champion, struggles to come in terms with it.

"I am surprised in a way," admits Campenaerts to Het Nieuwsblad. "And to say that Segaert rode nine seconds faster over the same distance. So he had been in the running for victory among the pros."

Campenaerts was more detailed about his Lotto Dstny teammate's decision not to start with the pros. "Together with his brother Loïc, he forms a good team. I am very certain that he is not yet at the top of his game, but what is good will come soon."

"Why not try to get that jersey with the pros now? I have discussed it with Alec. And not just me. He thinks that he will lose some of his credibility if he rides the European Championship with the pros and the World Championship with the U23."

Why would he then ride the U23 World Championships? "Simply because he absolutely wants that jersey."

Campenaerts can't really reason with this though: "There is something to be said about it, but if you ride the way Alec rides now, then you should simply start with the pros in the World Championship and aspire to a jersey."

"I personally think that a European jersey or a third place with the pros is worth more than a rainbow jersey with the U23. That is getting a jersey that you can never ride with. If I ride the World Time Trial Championship with the posteurs, I can also get a jersey, but what is it worth then? Belgium became European time trial champion for U23 four times: Alec Segaert three times and this boy once, but I don't say that to anyone anymore."