Vanthourenhout wins Overijse race

Michael Vanthourenhout, a Belgian cyclist riding for the Pauwels Sauzen-Altez team, won the opening round of the Superprestige in Overijse. This victory marks his fourth win in five races this season, showcasing strong form in cross-country events.

Rider reflects on race conditions

After the race, Vanthourenhout spoke with Oscar Dopchie and noted that he felt he had energy left in the final two laps, despite the challenging headwind on the climb. He emphasized that he pushed hard twice to create a gap and then maintained his pace to the finish.

Vanthourenhout’s ambitions for the season

The cyclist stated his goal to compete for all three major classifications this season. However, he acknowledged that the upcoming holiday period could be unpredictable and that a bad patch could affect his performance. Despite this, he remains focused on consistent training.

Focus on European Championships

Vanthourenhout mentioned that the European Championships in two weeks are a key goal. However, he emphasized that in a one-day race, only a win counts, and second or third place does not carry the same significance. His aim is to arrive at the start in the best possible condition.