Campenaerts gets "pints" statement back like boomerang from Affini: "Was a nice beer, huh"

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."

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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