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"
Cycling
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."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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