Jurgen Roelandts (OmegaPharma-Lotto) is riding this week’s Critérium du Dauphiné to prepare himself for his first ever ride in the Tour de France. The 24-year-old Belgian is looking forward to the race, which passes through his home country, as he told Het Nieuwsblad.
So far Roelandts has had mixed fortunes in the race; he finished 60th in Sunday’s prologue 30 seconds behind winner Alberto Contador (Astana), but was caught behind a crash on stage 1 and finished 95th, 1’11” in the second half of the peloton. He stayed close to the front on stage 2 though, and finished 16th in the sprint.
Ten days before the race the young Belgian was suffering from an intestinal infection but has fully recovered now, he hopes. “It is hopefully behind me,” he said, “because it’s not good to ride the Dauphiné feeling like a limp rag. But mentally I’m fresh.”
Roelandts was a surprise winner of 2008 Belgian championships, his biggest victory to date, but is trying to stay realistic about his first Tour; particularly as there are still a number of races to finish in the next three weeks. “I have my feet on the ground though,” he said, “I haven’t started yet, because anything can still go wrong. But if my further preparation runs smoothly then I’m ready and that’s already a great satisfaction.”
As a 24-year-old, Roelandts will be one of the youngest riders in the race and may not be expected to finish the race. He is under no illusions as to how tough the race will be, but sees his selection as a result of a the work he put in during the classics.
“It’ll be really hard,” he said, “but only the top Belgians get a starting permit for the Tour. My selection means that the way I applied myself in the spring has been rewarded.
“The Tour is still the biggest thing in cycling,” he added, “you start with 200 fantastic riders and so I won’t make any predictions.”
As to what his role might be, Roelandts isn’t sure, but as a rider from just east of his nations capital Brussels, where stage 1 finishes, he will surely be active in the early days of the race. “Depending on my condition I might get into a breakaway or work for the team,” he said. “A stage win is like a classic victory. It’s intense every day, but every day you also get the chance to ride yourself into the spotlight.”
Despite Roelandts apparent presence, the OmegaPharma-Lotto team has yet to announce its full Tour de France line up.