Despite the original reports that Yves Lampaert's crash at the Tour de Suisse won't prevent the two-time Belgian time trial champion from attending the National Championships, the opposite is the truth and Lampaert will have to pass on the unique opportunity to wear the Belgian tricolor for the third time in his career.
With Lampaert out of the game, Belgium can look forward to crowning a new champion against the clock on Thursday as latest champions Wout Van Aert and Remco Evenepoel both skip the chrono and will only attend the road event.
Who is the big favourite then? Two names are being mentioned more than others. Rune Herregodts has been in a great shape lately, winning the ZLM Tour among others. Meanwhile Alec Segaert is a two-time U23 European champion against the clock and so, despite not ideal run up to the championships, the 21-year-old is not to be underestimated.
Update: No time trial Nationals for @yveslampaert as consequence of his crash on the penultimate day of the Tour de Suisse.
Discover the four Soudal Quick-Step riders who will take on the National ITT Championships this week: soudal-quickstepteam.com/en/news/6598/f… Photo: @GettySport
