cyclocross krawatencross lille
Niels Vandeputte: “I am not afraid of anyone to ride to the finish together.” — © BELGA
After a particularly fascinating battle with Joris Nieuwenhuis and Joran Wyseure, it was Niels Vandeputte who made his move with a flashy attack in the final round. With his widest smile, he still had a small gap on his pursuers. The biggest victory for the young rider so far. “After the World Cup I definitely wanted to win again. And I like Lille.”
Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 6:17 PM
Naturally, Vandeputte was very pleased afterwards. “In the stages after the World Cup, I absolutely wanted to be on the highest stage again. Crosses like here in Lille and also Malle (February 25, ed.) just suit me. I was already thinking about it on Saturday. I already had the feeling that winning was possible, even though I certainly didn’t have a great day in Middelkerke. Lille is a completely different course and to finish it like this, it couldn’t be much nicer, in my opinion.”
Sometimes it seemed as if Vandeputte was pushing the leading group a little too hard, but he did not break. “Very honest? I almost had no leftovers during the match. Although I closed those small gaps easily. In the last lap I knew very well that the VIP tent was the place where I would make my attack. No one could revive me after that attack. It was just a matter of not making any more mistakes based on technique and starting the final straight line with a few meters lead. I succeeded the way I had in mind and that was very rewarding.”
In the past, Vandeputte has shown that he still had a solid final round in his legs. Only then it was ‘just’ for a place of honor. “That’s right, but just because I knew that I had such a last convulsion inside me, I realized that something was possible in Lille. And admittedly: I am not afraid of anyone to ride and sprint to the finish together. I think I can beat most guys, but that doesn’t mean I will always win.”
It promises to be a party tonight at the Vandeputte house. “A party? Not really. But I had already planned a dinner with my girlfriend (cyclist Yara Kastelijn, ed.). That will now taste twice as good,” Vandeputte concludes with a laugh.