Federal coach Carlo Bomans has announced the Belgian selection for the European Games. Lotto Soudal rider Tiesj Benoot is one of the six riders in the men’s team for the road race. Baku hosts the first European Games. The capital of Azerbaijan is situated at the Caspian Sea. The Games will take place from 12th until 28th June. Fifty countries will participate and twenty sports are programmed, cycling is one of them. The road race is scheduled on Sunday 21st June.

“I was interested in being selected for the European Games from the start, before I knew the course," he said. "I have watched a video of the course in the meantime and it should suit me. In the beginning of the lap that we have to cover several times there is a small climb of about three kilometres with cobbles. It will be crucial to ride in front there. Two years ago there was a stage in the Tour d’Azerbaidjan on the same course and a group of twenty to thirty riders sprinted for the victory, that shows it can be selective. Of course all will depend on the way the peloton races. There are six riders in a team, so it will be difficult to control the race. We’ll have to wait until the recon to get a complete vision of the course, we’ll head to Baku on 18th June.

“I want to be good in Baku, but won’t talk about a certain result yet. My role will depend on the team tactics. I don’t know what to think of the level of the European Games, we don’t know which riders will start. It will definitely be fantastic for the rider who wins the title. I am on a training camp in Tuscany now, my first race after my rest period will be the Tour de Picardie. I want to be in top shape in the Belgium Tour.”