Belgians enjoy limelight at Piazza di Siena

The main event at Piazza di Siena yesterday was the Nations Cup, from which, unfortunately, the Italian team has been a disappointment burning out in their home leg for last-place finish in front of the Rome public which is certainly not positive especially for the fans who for a long time have been thinking about the past glories.
However, understandably happy and satisfied were members of the winning team, Belgium who were presented at a press conference after the victory in relaxed and happy mood:
First to speak was coach Kurt Gravemeier who takes great credit for the victory to the tactics used and the starting order of the riders: this victory would have been even more impressive if the team had been inserted between those who had indicated Rome as an event for the acquisition of valid points but, as their coach, the choice was done before the tournament and Belgium had obviously opted for the first event; Lummen as a home competition, La Baule and St. Gallen because Belgium has a great tradition of results in those events and the last choice available was Hickstead.
It was Belgium’s first victory in Rome, an event the coach feels close to and that is why he was extremely happy to have won here in the Capital.
The form of young Belgian riders bodes well in the eyes of the coach who maintained that Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, the latter on Jos Verlooy, had so far expressed themselves to the best in this tournament.
The veteran of the team, Ludo Philippaerts who has 15 Rome appearances in his career, was next up and expressed his concern for the opposition especially from Germany, Holland and Britain.
Concern that also revolved around his horse vd Begijnakker Challenge, which had been out of action after an eye injury sustained in Herning and was not yet in the best of condition for which this was his first stop in a five-star Cup, but the decision was taken to start the horse.
The initial concern has also given way to the emotion of seeing the young Belgium side, which also included his son Nichola who yesterday had the honor of being last out,  growing rapidly and the feeling from Ludo Philippaerts is that Nicholas will become even stronger than his father.
His round allowed the team to win for the first time in Rome so that is a confidence boost as the Belgium team is at the same time young and strong.
He also expressed thanks to the course designer Uliano Vezzani, who when he saw the list of participants thought rightly to build a track worthy of the tradition of Piazza di Siena, and above all he was able to bring the best out of the big names at the starting line.
by: piazzadisiena.org