“It is important that I go to a team where performance is the number one priority.” Jordi Meeus reflects on future amid Lidl-Trek speculation

Jordi Meeus enters the final phase of his contract without a confirmed destination for 2027, with growing speculation linking the Belgian sprinter to Lidl-Trek. The Belgian sprinter, who has steadily built his status in the WorldTour with multiple sprint wins and a Tour de France stage victory, insists his priority is finding the right performance environment rather than becoming the undisputed leader in a team.

Meeus is currently in outstanding form, following recent victories including wins in 4 Jours de Dunkerque and Tour de Wallonie, and a sprint success at the Brussels Cycling Classic. That consistency has been underpinned by a well-functioning lead-out structure, which he again highlighted after his latest victory.

“The strength of the team definitely gives me confidence,” Meeus said. “It was a bit of a wait-and-see situation with Laurence Pithie because he had a heavy crash during the final stage of Wallonia on Friday. But he covers the attacks perfectly if the racing gets a bit too tough for me. It is always a second card we can play, which is very positive for the team.”

A key part of that structure remains his partnership with Danny van Poppel, who continues to play a central role in positioning him for sprint finishes. “Yes, exactly,” Meeus said. “Danny has a lot of experience in lead-outs, and it brings me a lot of peace of mind when I can do a sprint with him.”

Despite transfer discussions intensifying externally, Meeus insists his immediate focus remains on performance and upcoming objectives, including potential Tour de France selection and key late-season targets.

“Yes, I am still in it,” he said regarding his Tour selection chances. “I don't know if it's going to be very difficult to make that final selection. The victory today and from the previous weeks definitely help. But anyway, next week there is still Copenhagen and then the Belgian National Championships, so those are also great goals.”

He also highlighted his strong connection to the Copenhagen race, where he already claimed victory. “Last year was the first edition, and I managed to win it. So it’s nice to go back there.”

Looking ahead to his future, Meeus made clear that his priority is not to become the undisputed lead sprinter in a team, but rather to thrive in a structured and performance-driven environment where responsibilities are shared.

“No, that's true,” he said when asked about Lidl-Trek already having several sprinters. “But like I said, I am not the type of rider who absolutely must be the sole sprinter or the single leader. I perform well in an environment where I can share leadership and race alongside other top riders.”

That perspective is particularly relevant given the structure at Lidl-Trek, where both Jonathan Milan and Mads Pedersen already occupy major finishing and sprinting roles. Any potential move would therefore likely place Meeus in a shared leadership model, something he appears comfortable with as long as performance opportunities remain consistent and well-supported across the season.