“I’ve made a really good step forward this year”: 24-year-old Soudal Quick-Step rider targets another step forward after breakthrough season

Pepijn Reinderink has taken an important step in his development during the 2026 season. The 24-year-old Soudal - Quick-Step rider established himself as a reliable presence in several major races, made progress in the classics and, most importantly, finally secured his first professional victory. After three seasons as a professional, his stage win at the Tour de Luxembourg in September provided a welcome reward for his steady progression.

Reinderink claimed the third stage in Diekirch, beating several strong opponents, including Davide Piganzoli. It was a significant moment for the Dutchman, who had increasingly shown that he could compete for results but had not yet managed to turn those performances into a professional victory.

“There's a kind of pressure that comes off your shoulders,” he told Wielerflits after finally getting that first win.

Reinderink also experienced the satisfaction of contributing to team success at the Eneco Tour, where Soudal Quick-Step focused on winning stages with Tim Merlier. The Dutchman finished fifth overall, but he was equally pleased to be part of the team's successful sprint campaign.

“I haven't actually won much with the team this year, so it feels good to be part of it here,” he explained.

The limited number of opportunities to race alongside the team's main winners was partly a consequence of Reinderink's calendar. His spring program was heavily focused on the major classics, while he has yet to make his debut in a Grand Tour. As a result, he did not often share a race with the likes of Merlier and Paul Magnier, two of Soudal Quick-Step's principal options for stage victories.

Nevertheless, he believes the season represented another clear improvement in his career. “I've made a really good step forward this year,” Reinderink said. “The autumn was particularly good, but I was also able to do my job well in a supporting role during the spring. Every year, things have been progressing steadily, and I can see that I'm continuing to improve.”

“Looking ahead, I hope to be involved in the finales of those big classics. That's obviously the goal. And I'll certainly try to claim or earn leadership responsibilities from time to time,” he said.

At the same time, he recognizes the quality of the riders around him and remains comfortable with his current role. “We have a very strong classics team anyway, with riders like Stuyven, Merlier and Magnier who can finish things off. I'm always happy to work for those guys as well,” he added.

The Luxembourg triumph nevertheless changed something for Reinderink personally. After three years of professional racing, he had finally achieved the result every rider is chasing. Beyond the satisfaction of winning, he immediately noticed a difference in his confidence when competing in the peloton.

“You race for one thing, and that's winning races,” he said. “I'm confident in my abilities, but when you can finally get your first professional victory after three years of racing, there's a kind of pressure that comes off your shoulders. I'm really happy with my first professional win, and I can already feel that I have a little more confidence in the peloton now.”

He is convinced that the Luxembourg result will not be his last. “I think I can win more races in the years ahead,” he concluded. “I'm going to work extremely hard on that this winter.”