Gold for Luca, full podium for AG Insurance - Soudal Devo

Luca Vierstraete crowns herself U23 Belgian Time Trial Champion after AG Insurance - Soudal Devo podium sweep

It was a perfect day for AG Insurance - Soudal Devo Team at the Belgian U23 Women’s Time Trial Championships, where Luca Vierstraete powered to an impressive victory and claimed the national title after a dominant team performance.

In a remarkable display of strength, the team occupied the entire podium, with Emma Siegers finishing second and Anna Bruneel taking third place, turning the championship into a true AG Insurance - Soudal celebration.

Vierstraete, one of the pre-race favourites, delivered a composed and powerful ride on a demanding course, managing her effort perfectly across the rolling terrain and technical climbs.

“We knew there was a real chance that the three of us could end up on the podium, so we fully went for it,” Luca said after stepping onto the top step of the podium in the Belgian champion’s jersey.

“Of course, I really wanted to win the title, but if Emma or Anna had taken it, I would have been just as happy. As long as the jersey stayed within the team.”

The rider from Heule admitted she was initially cautious about the course profile.

“At first, I was a bit afraid of the parcours. On the first climb, you could go really hard, but then there was the risk of blowing up afterwards. Luckily, I paced my time trial well. Looking back, it was actually a really nice course.”

Vierstraete arrived at the championships fresh from international competition, having only returned on Sunday from Malaysia, where she competed in a Track World Cup event.

“Before that trip and again on Tuesday, I came here to train on the course. In Malaysia, the discipline was somewhat comparable to this, although of course it was only four kilometers. But the position on the bike was partly the same.”

For Anna Bruneel, the team result made the day even more special.

“I also really enjoyed standing on the podium with three riders from the same team,” she smiled. “I tried to go hard on the climbs and recover a little in between. Maybe I could have found a few more seconds, but honestly, it couldn’t have been much better.”

The result underlines once again the depth of talent within the AG Insurance - Soudal development structure, with three young riders delivering a statement performance on the national stage.

A Belgian title, a full podium, and another strong sign of the future ahead.

(Quote credits: Het Nieuwsblad - Lieven Verheyen)