Belgian analyst criticizes Tour selection Visma | Lease a Bike: "Campenaerts doesn't come close to Van Baarle"

The Tour de France selection by Visma | Lease a Bike has sparked significant discussion within the cycling world. Many eyebrows were raised due to the lack of Dutch riders in the lineup. Johan Bruyneel is also critical, but for different reasons. In his podcast TheMOVE, he explains why he finds the selection nonsensical.

Bruyneel’s first issue concerns Simon Yates. The team’s new recruit is slated to lead the team in the Giro d’Italia before heading to Lille for the Tour’s Grand Départ. "I’m not a fan of this approach — going all-in for the Giro and then suddenly becoming the last man for your leader in the Tour de France," the Belgian commented. "Visma shouldn’t gamble everything on the Tour, although I also think that’s the only way to beat Tadej Pogacar. You need to ensure you’re sending your best team and going all out. But that makes it risky to send Simon Yates to the Giro first."

For Bruyneel, who is himself a former cyclist and former team leader, the biggest injustice lies in Dylan van Baarle being left out. He believes Van Baarle absolutely should have been on the Tour team. "I have serious issues with this decision. Van Baarle is someone you can rely on. He has the power, the experience, and he always sacrifices himself for the team. I’ve seen him do incredible things in the Tour that Jonas Vingegaard won, and I thought, ‘Wow.’ You can also use him in the flat stages. Apparently, he’s been replaced by Victor Campenaerts. I don’t think Campenaerts is at Van Baarle’s level as a rider. He’s good, don’t get me wrong, but he doesn’t come close to Van Baarle."

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Unlike Van Baarle, Campenaerts does get to ride the Tour de France.

Bruyneel dismisses 'bike size argument' for Campenaerts

One reason cited for Campenaerts replacing Van Baarle is their similar bike size, matching that of team leader Vingegaard. Bruyneel finds this reasoning absurd. "Simon Yates is only a centimeter shorter than Vocsnor," he noted. "And he’ll always be nearby. If the team car isn’t around, Simon will be. Campenaerts has yet to prove that he can bring the same value as Van Baarle to a team supporting Jonas Vingegaard. He performed well at Lotto and won a stage, but still…"

Additionally, the banned Belgian doesn’t understand why the Tour selection is finalized as early as January. "Something will happen," he predicts. "One or two of the riders announced now won’t make it to the Tour de France. They’ll either be injured or sick, and the team will have to call up replacements they previously ruled out for the Tour." In such a scenario, Van Baarle could become the first reserve. "Of course, Van Baarle will be ready, but in my team, he would always be included from the start. You simply can’t leave him out."

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