The Belgian time trial championships are being organized tomorrow in Postel, part of Mol. Two laps of 24.5 kilometres have to be covered by the men and because of practical reasons the riders start in two shifts. Sean De Bie, Thomas De Gendt, Jurgen Van den Broeck, Boris Vallée and Tim Wellens will represent Lotto Soudal.

“Time trials are a strength of mine, I am ambitious for tomorrow and want to win the title. I’m in a good condition. I wanted to test myself in the time trial on the last day of the Tour de Suisse, but I wasn’t recovered yet after my long breakaway," De Gendt said. "I took some rest this week and that will be enough. The course should suit me. There are many straight parts and only a few turns which don’t seem too technical.

“Kristof Vandewalle is one of the main favourites. I also expect a strong performance of my teammate Tim Wellens. I also think Victor Campenaerts and Yves Lampaert can finish on the podium.

“It’s good that the time trial championships take place just before the road race. Lots of riders want to be good on Sunday and are in a good shape. In the past the time trial was organized after the Tour, only few people were keen then. Last year it was scheduled in May, at the time of the Tour de Romandie and Tour of Turkey. This new date is a good change.”