She said yes! Belgian rider uses Giro d'Italia stage 10 time trial to try and get a date

Updated: It's happening. Victor and Carlien are going on a date

Belgian time trial champ, Victor Campenaerts, saw stage 10 as the perfect place to ask a girl out for a date. The controversial move worked though as 'Carlien' said yes after seeing the Belgian's bare chest.

Some might have expected Belgian time trial champion Victor Campenaerts to want to put in a good ride on stage 10's time trial at the Giro d'Italia, but the LottoNL-Jumbo rider appeared to have his mind on other things.

Written across his chest (presumably by an embarrassed soigneur) were the words "Carlien daten?", which, if your Dutch isn't up to much, translates as "Carlien, will you go out with me?".

Obviously also keen to show off his pecs to lucky Carlien, Campenaerts made sure that he opened his skinsuit for the TV cameras on the start ramp and as he crossed the finish line.

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The only bad news is that Carlien won't be too impressed with Campenaerts' time, with the Belgian posting a sluggish time to put him in the bottom 10 for the stage.

We'll try to keep you updated with how Campenaerts gets on, with Carlien and with his support for Steven Kruijswijk at the Giro.

Update - 17/5/17

Somehow, amazingly, this has actually worked, with Carlien agreeing to go on a date with the Belgian champion.

Belgian journalist Karl Vannieukerke sent out a tweet appealing for the mystery Carlien to come forward, which was answered by Carlien Cavens, who said she had agreed to go on a date with Campenaerts.

Cavens also spoke to Belgian radio station Studio Brussels, telling them that she hadn't actually been watching the stage to see Campenaerts' romantic gesture.

"I did not see the pictures live. I came from a meeting at work and suddenly had a lot of missed calls and messages. A journalist called me and told me the story.

"I could not say no to that."

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According to Sporza, Campenaerts and Cavens have known each other for a while, with Campenaerts having helped the former triathlete with her swimming.

The good news for Campenaerts is that Cavens said she would like the date to involve food and a bike ride, but she understands if those might not be his chosen activities after three weeks riding around Italy.

"Victor also called me yesterday. We just have to pick a date," Cavens continued.

"I would like to go for something to eat and ride a bike, but maybe he will not want to do that after the Giro.

"I certainly do not want to go to the movies. I always fall asleep."

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.