“It is clear that there is still a long way to go before I can compete with the world’s top riders uphill” - William Junior Lecerf realistic about his chances in the Ardennes Classics

Having made the step up from the Soudal Quick-Step development team to the WorldTour team for 2024, William Junior Lecerf has impressed in his neo-pro season, as he finished second overall and took the victory in the youth classification at the AlUla Tour in his first race, before taking a stage win and finishing fourth overall at the Tour du Rwanda.

However, the Belgian youngster failed to be competitive in his first European stage races of the season at the Volta a Catalunya and Itzulia Basque Country, with his best result being a 12th place finish on the opening stage of Catalunya.

Looking ahead to his upcoming races, Lecerf is scheduled to race the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. This will give him his first taste of WorldTour one-day racing in the Ardennes Classics and will also feature his Monument debut at La Doyenne.

Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad ahead of the Amstel Gold Race this weekend, Lecerf reflected on his season so far, as he said “I achieved good results in AIUla and Rwanda. However, the level of the two races in Spain was of a different calibre, but I was not ridden away and that was a positive observation. It is clear that there is still a long way to go before I can compete with the world’s top riders uphill”.

On his hopes for the upcoming races, Lecerf said “it will be special for several reasons. Never before have I ridden a race of this level and over such a distance. I was happy that I was able to recover somewhat this week. I can be satisfied with my start to the season. What follows now are races of a different class”.

Soudal Quick-Step will be without Remco Evenepoel for the Ardennes Classics after he crashed heavily at Itzulia Basque Country, meaning that there may be more opportunities for the likes of Lecerf, as he went on to say “after the retirement of Remco Evenepoel, we no longer have an outright leader. Everyone now gets a chance to show what they are worth. Our team was already taking the blows, but fortunately I have been spared any setbacks so far. The races are particularly hectic. The falls can no longer be counted. I have already been lucky and hopefully it will remain that way”.

The hilly nature of the Ardennes Classics should favour Lecerf’s punchy nature and climbing ability, with him stating that “normally, this course should suit me, but don’t expect any strong statements from me. I still have to discover what really happens in these types of races. On paper, La Flèche Wallonne will suit me best. If I can be well-placed at the foot of the final climb on the Mur de Huy, then I should have a strong result. I’m hoping for a place in the top-20. In the Amstel Gold Race, I hope to gain confidence towards the two other Ardennes races. I don’t feel pressure. As always, we try to make the best of it”.