Victor Campenaerts date request at the Giro d'Italia hasn't quite gone to plan
LottoNL-Jumbo rider Victor Campenaerts asked a girl for a date during the Giro d'Italia time trial but things haven't gone to plan for the Belgian
One of the most memorable moments of this year's Giro d'Italia wasn't the dramatic final day time trial or the explosive week in the Dolomites, but something far more romantic.
On stage 10's time trial, Victor Campenaerts sacrificed a great time to ask Carlien Cavens on a date, writing on his chest "Carlien daten?" which he showed on the start ramp and when he crossed the line.
It all seemed to be going so well for the 25-year-old LottoNL-Jumbo rider with Carlien agreeing to the date.
But since returning to the Giro, it appears that Carlien, who is five years Campenaerts senior, just wants to be friends.
"We'll just stay friends," Campenaerts, who quit the Giro after stage 16, has revealed to Het Nieuwsblad.
"Nothing will be done. I have said everything about it. Will she continue to support me? Of course. Friends do that for each other."
Despite the end result not being what Campenaerts had hoped for, he does the see positive side of his stunt: publicity.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"It has had quite a bit of media attentions over the past few days," he added, before joking: "I think I was in the newspaper more than if I had won that time trial."
The rejection was the second blow for Campenaerts, for his date request also earned him a 100 Swiss francs fine.
There's always Tinder, Victor. Get swiping.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published
-
Jumbo-Visma's Nathan Van Hooydonck 'awake' and without injury after car crash
Belgian rider taken to hospital in Antwerp following incident, but health situation is "not critical"
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Jumbo-Visma rider Michel Hessmann suspended after positive anti-doping test
The 22-year-old's out-of-competition sample detected the presence of diuretics
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Jumbo-Visma signs three young Brits for its development squad
Jed Smithson, Tomos Pattinson and Matthew Brennan have signed contracts with the Dutch team
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Jumbo-Visma launch fairytale theme park-inspired kit for the Tour de France
For the third Tour in a row, the Dutch squad will swap out its usual yellow kit for something a bit different
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jumbo to end title sponsorship of all Jumbo-Visma teams after 2024, according to reports
Team boss Richard Plugge confirms Dutch supermarket chain is "re-evaluating all their sponsorship deals"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Amazon Prime Jumbo-Visma documentary: Five things we want to see
Six-part series available on Amazon Prime in the Benelux region from March 1
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW LIVE: Primož Roglič confirmed for Giro d'Italia 2023; Track rider hits 2,271 watts; NCL announces first two teams; Van Aert to ride cyclo-cross Worlds; Sram and Oakley team up with Jumbo-Visma; Rwanda unveils pump track: Evenepoel eyes Pogačar showdown
Join us as we round up the day's cycling news
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Jumbo-Visma rider retires to become ambassador for anorexia charity
Aafke Soet reveals she struggled with eating disorder during her career as a cyclist
By Adam Becket Published