Een opvallend gesprek tussen Victor Campenaerts en EK-winnaar Edoardo Affini over een... biertje! 🍺😂 @edoardo_affini @VCampenaerts #EuroRoad24 🎥 @WielerFlits
Campenaerts gets "pints" statement back like boomerang from Affini: "Was a nice beer, huh"
CyclingThursday, 12 September 2024 at 09:51
On Wednesday, Victor Campenaerts defended Belgium's honor at the European Time Trial Championships in his own country. The Belgian of Lotto-Dstny beforehand implied that one of his Italian rivals had been drinking beer after the Vuelta a España but eventually saw both blue shirts finish on the podium. And afterward, of course, he received that statement back - with a wink.
So what exactly is it about? Campenaerts finished the Vuelta in Madrid last Sunday, just like the other top favorites for the continental title race: Edoardo Affini (Visma | Lease a Bike), Mattia Cattaneo (Soudal Quick-Step), and Stefan Küng of Groupama-FDJ, the winner of the final time trial in the Spanish capital.
Tuesday evening at Belgian Cycling's press event, Campenaerts discussed the European Championship time trail with Sporza, including the three men mentioned. "They are my biggest competitors. I heard that one of the three had been drinking pints. So there is one cycling with a scratch on the bodywork. Who? I won't say, but unfortunately, it's not a Swiss," said the outspoken and flamboyant Belgian.
So it's Affini or Cattaneo, but the former has been living in the Netherlands for a while now, so he knows the language. So, Campenaerts' interview also made it to the Italians, who may have gained fuel from it. In Hasselt, Affini won, ahead of Küng and Cattaneo—both Italians on the podium thus, ahead of Dutchmen Daan Hoole and Thymen Arensman and Campenaerts. "I'm shocked that so many riders finished between me and Küng," the number six said. "But it's impressive from Affini."
Read more below the photo.
Affini jokes with Campenaerts: "Of course, I'll drink a beer!"
As always, the Belgians were very approachable to the press after the race, so by the time Affini finished his ceremony on the podium, he was still in the mixed zone for the final Dutch interviews. The Italian couldn't resist giving his future teammate at Visma | Lease a Bike a pat on the shoulder. "It was a nice beer, huh," Affini said, passing by. Campenaerts didn't seem to understand the link right away.
"I read your interview on Sporza," Affini indicated in perfect Dutch. "That wasn't about you," Campenaerts replied, looking visibly puzzled. "Really not? I thought it was," said Affini, who was at Robert Gesink's farewell dinner in Madrid. "It was about another Italian. I didn't think you would drink a beer," Campenaerts responded before Affini had to go to his interviews and came up with the final word. "Of course I will!" with a big smile on his face.
Video: Campenaerts and Affini have nice standoff after European Championship time trial
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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