Affini gives Italy, Visma | Lease a Bike and a small village in Drenthe the European stars
Cycling
Edoardo Affini is the new European time trial champion. The Italian of Visma | Lease a Bike is also bringing the continental title to the Netherlands, as he and his girlfriend Lisa live in the north of the country. Afterward, the delighted Affini told his story to IDLProCycling.com, among others.
Affini is known as a man who is always ready for his teammates at Visma | Lease a Bike, all of whom will also grant him this success. He had to pinch his arm in the light blue jersey with European stars in Hasselt. "I don't know what to say; this is wonderful. It had been a long time since I won, in my first year as a pro, to be exact," Affini recalled.
"After that, I always did my best work, but here I started without pressure," said Affini, another essential link of the Visma | Lease a Bike team in the Vuelta a España over the past three weeks. "The last three weeks in the Vuelta were tough; it was the toughest grand tour I've ever been on, working for the team and for my chance in the time trials."
"In the final time trial, I didn't feel good, and I was missing the power to ride a good result," Affini said of the time trial in Madrid. "So I took it easy the last two days and hoped for the best today. I didn't feel good in the morning, but my coach Mathieu (Heijboer, ed.) said it might improve. I gave everything, but I still have trouble believing it. I'm going to enjoy this as much as I can."
Read more below the photo.
Affini in perfect Dutch: "Beautiful that I can share this with my family"
"I just raced as hard as I could, and this was the result," said Affini, who addressed the Dutch-language press in perfect Dutch. "After five or 10 minutes, it went fast. I thought too fast, but I still tried. I was also told on the radio that I had one of the best intermediate times. Until the finish, it was non-stop giving it all."
The fact that Affini could share it with his loved ones in Belgian Limburg made him even more proud of his title. "What a surprise, also for me. It's incredible, but really a beautiful moment. Also, because I can share it with my family. My parents and sister were from Italy, and my Dutch girlfriend and her parents were present. I live in a small village in the Netherlands, slightly above Assen. Donderen," he says with a big smile to the Dutch people.
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024