After two seasons at IAM Cycling, Stef Clement is back in the LottoNL-Jumbo team where he spent six years between 2009 and 2014. In an interview with Omroep Brabant, he reveals that he will shelve his personal ambitions, having returned "to have a domestique role ".
In the Swiss team, Clement was able to ride for himself this season, notably taking 15th place in the Critérium du Dauphiné and 18th in the Tour de France, his best result in a Grand Tour. He also took second place in the Arctic Race of Norway.
While he agrees that he is a more complete rider, he wants to use his qualities to serve his leaders and especially Steven Kruijswijk.
"I was hired to do the Giro with Steven so my program will depend on him,” he said. “Once Steven knows his program, it will be a copy-paste for me."
As road captain Clement must create peace in the LottoNL-Jumbo team.
"I've ridden in foreign service. I have left that desire behind me,” he said. "That gives peace. Now I must bring that to the leaders. Some leaders perform better in chaos. Now I will ride for a team leader who benefits from peace. I should give that peace, even to the other guys.”
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