The 22-year-old climber William Junior Lecerf completed its first season this year in WorldTour within the team Soudal Quick-Step. With a 2nd place overall in theAlUla Tour in January, two victories over the Tour of Rwanda in February, but also solid performances at the Volta Catalunya and during the Tour of Switzerlandthe Belgian rider had already had a good start to the season. But his performance for his first grand tour at The Returnwith a 4th place during the 10th stage and a final 8th place in the best young person classification, raised high hopes for the Belgian promise. Lecerf also started its first two monuments this season: Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy. At the end of this promising season, he spoke for his team and looked back on his first year.
Video – William Lecerf's first professional victory!
“I was really surprised that everything went so well, better than I could have hoped”
He first tackles his first race of the year, on theAlUla Tourwhich remains for him his best performance of the season: “My first race of the year was the Tour of Saudi Arabia. In my opinion, it was my best race so far. I worked hard all winter to be in shape for the first race, and I really wanted to prove something. I surprised myself, because I was hoping for a top 10 or something, but to almost win the general classification was a very good performance.he explains, before analyzing his first Grand Tour. “At the start of the season, I always said that I would really like to be at the start of a Grand Tour, but the team couldn't guarantee it. So, I was very motivated to give the best of me -even and prove to them that I was ready and that I had the required level I was happy to be chosen for La Vuelta, because I think it is the one that suits me best. Of course, at the beginning. , I was wondering how it was going to go, because I had never taken part in a Grand Tour I'm still young, so we don't know how the body will react, but I was really surprised that everything went so well – better than anything I could have hoped for. “.
Finally, he takes stock of his year and discusses the objectives for next year: “The biggest thing I learned this year is that my body responds well in the Grand Tours. I think this is important for the future, because I still felt pretty good during the second and third week. It is important that my body is not exhausted after a week. It was also essential for me to already obtain some results, because I want to continue, aim for victory in the races where I think it is possible, and. build from there And in the big races, help the team with Remco to win as much as possible.”
