Etixx - Quick-Step rider Yves Lampaert was one of the UCI World TTT Championship participants for Etixx - Quick-Step last Sunday. The Belgian rider talks about his experience below.
For me it was a huge honor, and I was quite excited to be a part of the UCI World TTT Championship team that earned a silver medal. Everything goes quicker at the top level. Quicker warm-up, quicker to the start, quicker finish. I did a good job, I did what they expected from me, maybe even a bit more. I lost contact on the climb before the finish, but I was happy with my effort.
I think we should be proud of our 2nd place in the Worlds TTT. The whole team worked well together well. I'm certainly happy with it, as it was my first medal, so to get silver as my first is really a nice feeling.
I learned a lot from the other guys in the last days. To be able to ride in a good rhythm with guys like Tony Martin, Rigoberto Uran, and Niki Terpstra, it gave me confidence but also taught me some things that I can use next year in the time trials. To be selected with a group of such strong guys was a big boost of my confidence. I was thankful to be a part of the team.
I shared a room with Julien Vermote, our reserve. We've known each other a long time. We always have fun when we room together. Unfortunately he couldn't race with us, but I think it's good for his motivation that he was close to it, and that he has room to improve. Maybe next year it will be his time. We will see.
We had some good memories together as a team, I think this experience of racing a team trial together at the end of the season is another good way to build the team spirit we've been developing the whole year.
Now I look to my next appointment, which is racing with the Belgian National Team in the 53km UCI World ITT Championship on Wednesday. My goal is first to pick up experience for the next years. I cannot anticipate where I will finish, but I don't want to focus on that as much as learning from my performance. I'm still a young guy, we will see. I will do my best as possible. I hope to get the power I am expecting, and I will go full gas until the end. I participated in two Under 23 UCI World ITT Championships before. My best result there was 13th. But this is a whole new experience at the pro level. I'm proud to be at this point and to gain crucial experience for the next years.
Thanks for reading!
Yves
Photos © BrakeThrough Media
Yves Lampaert 