Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise experienced a great season, with the victory of Jelle Wallays in Paris-Tours the 21st already this season, but his was by far the nicest. "This is the icing on the cake of a great year for the team," said team manager Walter Planckaert to Sporza. "I'm very happy for Jelle, because he is always committed to the team." 

Planckaert is happy for his 25-year old rider. "I'm super happy. Jelle was doing well. He won in Lichtervelde late last month and rode the bike home after Binche, which at the end of the season is not easy in these difficult conditions. He has fully lived there and has finished it."

Jelle Wallays is in his fourth year at Topsport Vlaanderen far, where his three years younger brother Jens will join him next year. 

Planckaert outlines the figure of Jelle. "The Wallays brothers come from a very athletic family. They both live 100 percent for their profession, though in winter a few weeks, sometimes they are liable to weight game." 

"Jelle does have one problem: in the winter he puts on the pounds easily, so this winter will pay special attention so that he can repeat his Paris-Tours performance in the spring.”

"He can do that. Especially in Paris-Roubaix, he must be able to act. He can drive across the cobbles. He also helped to drive the break in the Tour of Flanders. He then got hunger knock. However, the selective spring races have been his thing and we will work hard towards them next year.”

Six talents leave the training squad next year: Kenneth Vanbilsen, Tom Van Asbroeck, Jasper Buyst, Yves Lampaert, Zico Waeytens and Michael Van Staeyen. 

"Jelle remains with us. In the preseason he was still a bit disappointed with his results. We go there next year to change that and he will definitely perform well." 

"That there are six very good riders - including four sprinters - leaving, plays in his favor, he will be more able to ride for himself and he will no longer have to ride in the wind for the others.”