“If Tadej starts, it will of course be a different story” - Florian Vermeersch settling into life at UAE Team Emirates - XRG

After leaving Lotto over the winter, Florian Vermeersch has started a new chapter in his career at UAE Team Emirates - XRG, currently regarded as the undisputed number one team in professional cycling. The 25-year-old Belgian is making his season debut at the Tour of Oman and recently spoke to Wielerflits about his expectations for the year ahead.

“It actually feels a bit less strange to ride around in a new jersey now,” Vermeersch said. “But I am very happy that I can now also ride my first races with UAE Team Emirates - XRG. It has been a long winter and a long preparation. Then you get that first day of school feeling again. You don't really know where you stand and that makes you a bit nervous.”

Vermeersch endured a tough 2023 season after breaking his thigh bone in his first race of the year, sidelining him for much of the season. “It would be nice if I could just survive that first race this time!

“Seriously: it's been almost a year since I broke my leg. It was less that I missed the entire spring, but my autumn was normal. It was important that I still competed there, with a view to this year.”

Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about his new team and the fresh start. “It is the beginning of a new chapter. You want to prove to the team right away that you are worth being part of this whole. It is an adjustment, but every rider who changes teams experiences that at some point. You notice that it is a different team, with more nationalities than at Lotto. But in essence, many cycling teams are the same in terms of routines. And yes, the atmosphere at Lotto was great, but I have also enjoyed myself here.”

Vermeersch admitted that leaving Lotto was not his preferred choice but has come to terms with the move. "I didn't really have a choice, you know," he said. "But there are certainly no hard feelings. It is what it is, and I knew quite early on where I stood. That made the departure less abrupt."

His goal now is to replicate the success of Tim Wellens, who made the same transfer in 2023 and played a key role in Tadej Pogacar’s Tour de France victory last year. “That is the intention,” Vermeersch said. “The professionalism at UAE is very high. You immediately notice that there is a certain urge to win. Everyone is so motivated, but not just the riders. Everything is also top-organised in terms of operation and material. You don't really have to worry about anything. That creates a very relaxed feeling.”

While riding for a team led by Tadej Pogacar means he won’t be the outright leader, Vermeersch is comfortable with his role. “If Tadej starts, it will of course be a different story, that is logical and I have no problem with that anyway. But there is an opening for a free role and we complement each other. That will make it fun to set a course together and see where we end up. Especially because Tadej is also just a normal guy. One of the boys. It is not an elephant that enters the room and everyone becomes silent. That makes it so pleasant.”

Vermeersch sees his recruitment as a sign of the team’s faith in his abilities. "If the number one team in the world wants you so badly, that's a great compliment. The opening in the spring squad and the opportunities that lie there, are completely in line with my ambitions. That was important to me. I'm still too young to force myself into an absolute service role."

One race remains at the forefront of Vermeersch’s ambitions: Paris-Roubaix. He famously finished second in 2021, behind Sonny Colbrelli but ahead of the current Roubaix King Mathieu van der Poel.

“It remains my goal to win that race one day. If I succeed here, that would be fantastic. But that doesn't mean it has to happen this year of course. It's in the back of my mind and they know I'm working on it. That's a big goal for me. If I'm in good shape, I'll try to get as far as possible and race attractively. Then we'll see.”