“If I were Van der Poel I’d be worried” – Have Alpecin lost too many classics domestiques?

Mathieu van der Poel has defined the last three springs alongside Tadej Pogacar, with the pair splitting up the biggest monuments. But as the 2025 season winds down, Van der Poel is staring at a very different support structure for 2026. A string of departures in the transfer window has left Alpecin-Deceuninck looking light on proven classics strength, and journalist Thijs Zonneveld believes the Dutch star has reasons for concern.

The list of riders heading out is significant: Edward Planckaert, Fabio Van den Bossche (to Soudal - Quick-Step), Gianni Vermeersch (to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe), Quinten Hermans, and Xandro Meurisse (to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team). For a team that has relied on numbers to support Van der Poel in the classics, the exodus is a real blow.

“There does seem to be a problem developing,” says Zonneveld. “They only have eighteen riders under contract, and for now, they're only bringing riders over from the development team, where they have some really good guys.”

Among those promoted are Dutchman Senna Remijn and Belgians Aaron Dockx and Lennert Belmans. Zonneveld sees potential in the influx of youth. “They're really good riders, and then there are cyclocross riders too. Like Niels Vandeputte. He's also really good and fast on the road.”

But the bigger picture, he argues, points to structural weaknesses that are not so easily solved. “They have a financial problem because their co-sponsor is leaving. Van der Poel and Philipsen have extended their contracts, and they cost a lot of money. The entire midfield is leaving, and that will simply be difficult to absorb.”

That midfield, versatile riders capable of keeping the race under control in the chaos of Flanders or Roubaix, has been central to the team’s rise. Zonneveld credits Alpecin-Deceuninck for spotting and improving undervalued riders who others overlooked. “They've done a really good job of that in recent years. They signed riders who made you think: are you going to control the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix with this? And yes, they did. Guys like Timo Kielich, Gianni Vermeersch, Edward Planckaert...”

He continued: “Other teams weren't interested at the time, I think. Tim Merlier is another good example. He didn't get a job anywhere. They manage to see something in riders that other teams don't, and then make them better and let them ride as a team. That they can indeed control the Tour or Roubaix. But if I were Van der Poel, I'd be a little worried.”