While much of the discussion at the Soudal-Quick-Step Training Camp in Calpe centered on Remco Evenepoel, Patrick Lefevere expressed his excitement at one of the team’s latest signings.
Tom Boonen and Johan Museeuw
“Be careful with the American guy. He’s fast and strong,” Lefevere said of 21-year-old talent Luke Lamperti.
“If my memory is correct, Tom Boonen started as a sprinter and ended his career as a Classic cyclist. Johan Museeuw was a Lotto sprinter and also became a classic cyclist on my team. I think Luke can do the same”, concluded Patrick Lefevere.
New Peter Sagan
Lamperti was seen by some as the “new Peter Sagan”. The 21-year-old admits that the Slovak has been a big influence on him.
“When I started really watching cycling, Sagan was the guy and I watched him pass my house. That made me a fan,” he told the American website Cyclingnews.
“I liked the way he raced and everything he did in cycling and sport. For him to stop racing a year before I turned pro is a shame, I always wanted to race with him.”
Lamperti by Lamperti
“I wouldn’t say I have the pure strength of the great sprinters, so the Classics could be what suits me in the future”, he assesses. “But we’re going to discover a lot more this year.”
“I think as a cyclist you always put a bit of pressure on yourself, you always want to perform for yourself but also for the team,” concludes Lamperti.
Luke Lamperti demonstrates skill by avoiding an accident during the 2023 World Championship