Impressive Van Kerckhove rushes to Belgian time trial title
Matisse Van Kerckhove became Belgian U23 time trial champion with a commanding display of power. On the nearly 26-kilometre course, the 19-year-old rider from the Team Visma Lease a Bike Development Team outpaced his compatriot Jasper Schoofs and teammate Aldo Taillieu.
"It feels very special to become Belgian champion for the first time and to take the jersey. I’ve been dreaming of this for a while and now I’ve just made it happen", Van Kerckhove said. "Time trials are a discipline that suits me well. I’ve trained a lot for them over the past few years and that has paid off with a number of good results. After my second place last year, it was really my goal to win the title today."
"This is a discipline that suits me well."
Van Kerckhove was the last to start his race against the clock and set the fastest time at the second and third intermediate point. After just under 26 kilometres, he crossed the finish line with a time of 33 minutes and 11 seconds. The youngster finished 45 and 55 seconds ahead of Schoofs and Taillieu respectively. "It was a very tough course. There were two climbs, but also technical bends and descents", he said.
"The first climb came straight after the start. It was important to tackle it hard, but not too hard either. Actually, everything went perfectly. I rode it exactly as I wanted to, and that makes me very happy." Will Van Kerckhove be celebrating the title? "Absolutely. My little brother has also become Belgian champion, so we’re going to enjoy that with the whole family."
