"I am still far too young to be 100% assigned to being a domestique" - Ilan Van Wilder remains keen for Grand Tour chances of his own
Cycling
The Belgian talents of Remco Evenepoel and Ilan Van Wilder look like being the future of Soudal - Quick-Step's Grand Tour challenges. In 2024 however, they could work together at the Tour de France.
"They are gradually considering me as a permanent fixture and I am being given more responsibility. That's cool," Van Wilder tells HLN about his growing position within the Soudal - Quick-Step roster. "It's a matter of maturity. Physically, on track. Two Grand Tours have provided a bigger 'engine' and higher power needed to achieve results. Especially in the 2022 Vuelta, I had to pull out all the stops to compensate for the loss of a few teammates with corona in Remco's service. Even though it demanded a lot from my body, it worked well."
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After Evenepoel withdrew from the 2023 Giro d'Italia due to covid despite holding the Maglia Rosa at the time, Van Wilder impressed in his free role during the remainder of the race, eventually finishing 12th overall in the general classification.
"I will continue to do what I have been doing successfully for two years now: looking for the right balance. I deserve those opportunities, because I have proven that I can win races myself and I am still far too young to be 100% assigned to being a domestique," Van Wilder concludes. "Despite this, 'no Giro or Vuelta for my own account yet, no. I secretly hope for that before 2025. But this year I would also love to make my Tour debut. Very special, the dream of every rider. The hope is well-founded, the chance of final selection is quite high. But not yet certain. It depends on many factors. The list is quite long, but there are more that qualify. That will be a puzzle."
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