Victor Campenaerts overcomes small injury to thrive at Le Samyn: "I think we rode an attractive race"

The Lotto Soudal rider is on a great run of form and has been in constant motion at the cobbled classics so far this season, with an ever-aggressive approach to racing, he was once again ambitioning a win today that was not far from happening.

“A sixth place at Le Samyn is obviously not what we came for, said Victor Campenaerts. But Le Samyn never disappoints. I think we rode an attractive race with the team and we made it pleasant to watch for the fans," Campenaerts said after the finish at Le Samyn, where he finished in sixth place. Campenaerts rode an agressive race as is usual of him, using his aerodynamical prowess to try and distance himself from the lead group often within the final kilometers. The Belgian had the legs to go for the win but couldn't separate himself from his rivals, and in a sprint he didn't manage to get in the podium.

"In the end, it became a long final, but being part of the breakaway that made it to the finish, I gave my all to obtain the highest possible result. I was suffering a bit from pain in the ribs after crashing at the Omloop, but I think it’s safe to say Matteo Trentin was the strongest rider today," he said. Campenaerts suffered a crash at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad which was a reason for some concern as he claimed to have a small fracture in the ribs. Nevertheless he rode through the pain just as he did last Saturday where he finished fifth despite a mishap-filled race.

Campenaerts is now set to ride Strade Bianche this weekend where he will be testing himself in some unfamiliar terrain. He will be focusing on the cobbled classics during this spring where he should be a strong contender for several races.