A painful mistake cost Lennert Van Eetvelt first win in a grand tour. The young Belgian initially raised an arm in celebration thinking the victory was his, but then saw Roglic pass him on his left hand side.
“I wasn’t completely sure, but I didn’t feel him coming, so I thought I was there already. But I wasn’t…”, said Van Eetvelt after stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espana.
“You learn that from the begginers, that you have to sprint to the line and not stop before it. I have mixed feelings. I am very happy with the form and that I can compete for the win. The last few months have not been easy, but I am also very happy with it. There are still plenty of days.”
Van Eetvelt surprisingly managed to keep up with Roglic and Enric Mas on the steepest sections of Pico Villuercas, up to 20%. Eventually, a group came back and the stage victory was contested in a small group sprint.
“I am very happy that I was able to reach my level of the spring again”, Van Eetvelt said. “I will be happy soon.”
“This was the first test and you know better where everyone is. I can only be happy with where I am”.
