“I'm at an age where it's a necessity" - Stan Dewulf demands a bigger role within AG2R Citroën Team

Entering the final year of his four-year deal with the AG2R Citroën Team, Stan Dewulf is keen to have a bigger role in order to ensure either an extension to his deal or interest from other teams at the end of next season. 

“I think I will be pushed forward a little bit more,” the 25-year-old Belgian says hopefully in conversation with Wielerflits, a hope that has been significantly boosted by the departure of Clément Venturini and the retirements of Greg van Avermaet and Michael Schär. “The spring core will be slightly less strong, especially in terms of absolute leaders. I think there will be more opportunities for me and it is up to me to take them."

Having had a relatively quiet year in 2023, Dewulf believes 2024 could be his breakthrough season. “I'm at an age where it's a necessity. Come on, must is a big word. But it is an age where you see where you end up as a rider," Dewulf explains. "After my holiday, I will fly back in to fulfil that role and try to finish as high as possible in the classics."

“We collect a lot of data these days, so we can see which values ​​I am lacking. It is then up to me to work on that. I'm not surprised by my data. It's not bad, because I think I've definitely made progress in terms of hardness,” continues the Belgian. “I just miss that little bit of peak power. These are the capabilities of between 30 and 90 seconds that ensure that you are able to keep up or not. I was very good in the Renewi Tour, but I was just not doing well when it broke and eight men left. That really needs to be worked on. The fact that you are not happy will make your race completely different.”