Lennert Van Eetvelt forced to abandon Tirreno-Adriatico after one stage

A major setback for Lennert Van Eetvelt and his team Lotto-Intermarché. The 24-year-old climber will not start the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico today. Van Eetvelt is still experiencing too much discomfort from his crash at Strade Bianche.

Van Eetvelt began last Saturday as the designated leader for Lotto-Intermarché in the Italian race over the white gravel roads, but after one hundred kilometers, things went wrong. The rider crashed hard, had to abandon the race, but initially, it seemed like a crash with no serious consequences.

The Belgian was therefore able to start at Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday, but the opening time trial showed that Van Eetvelt is still suffering too much from the aftereffects of the crash. Despite his general classification ambitions, he lost over a minute and a half over the 11.5-kilometer distance to stage winner Filippo Ganna.

Van Eetvelt has, in consultation with the team, decided to pull the brakes. “Lennert Van Eetvelt will not start in the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, after a few tough days following his crash in Strade Bianche and the opening time trial,” Lotto-Intermarché announced.

“In consultation with the performance team and medical staff, it was decided not to take any risks and to focus on his recovery, with the goal of returning to top form for the remainder of his spring campaign.”