Van Eetvelt ends with second overall WorldTour victory: "Gives me a confidence boost after a difficult season"
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Follow us on GoogleLennert Van Eetvelt held his ground in the final stage of the Tour of Guangxi, winning his second WorldTour stage race of the year. He also celebrated his victory in the UAE Tour at the end of February. "You don't win a World Tour race alone; the team worked incredibly hard," the overall winner reflected on teammates' hard work in a press release.
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Van Eetvelt hit his stride on the steep final climb of the second-to-last stage. However, the differences in the GC were still so small that he had to be attentive in the final stage. Moreover, the course was tricky, with five passes on a steep climb. "It was a tough day from start to finish," Van Eetvelt said. "It was pretty exciting at times. The team had to work hard when a breakaway group drove away. And even on the last lap, the attacks kept coming."
"If Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL, ed.) - second in the GC - had finished second in the stage, or if someone had attacked in the last kilometer...," Van Eetvelt named the uncertainties during the stage. "Many scenarios were possible, and we were under tension until the end. Fortunately, I had a good day, and the rest of the team did a great job. Winning a World Tour race is not something you do alone, and today proved that once again."
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Van Eetvelt: "Never expected to reach this level in October"
It may be considered unusual for Van Eetvelt to win a WorldTour stage race of the year in both the first and last stages of the season. Much of the season in between fell through due to a persistent knee injury and a collision during a training ride in Tenerife. "Most years, I end my season somewhere in the rain, wondering what I'm doing,' Van Eetvelt said with a laugh. 'But now, because I took a break after the Vuelta, I feel excellent."
For Van Eetvelt, the season could have gone on a few more months. "I feel very fresh. Two weeks ago, I had another 30-hour training week, and I'm delighted that all that hard work paid off so late in the year. I never expected to reach this level at the end of October. It gives me a lot of confidence after a difficult season. Moreover, I can now enjoy a peaceful vacation, which feels good."
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026