"Large part of the team will have more opportunities": Ilan Van Wilder ready to take over after Evenepoel's departure
CyclingWednesday, 14 January 2026 at 05:00
The atmosphere at Soudal - Quick-Step will be quite different in 2026. Without Remco Evenepoel. For Ilan Van Wilder, that means a field promotion to a leader's role, although Mikel Landa still remains the Belgian team's most promising GC contender.
Rather than sparse opporuninties in races Evenepoel normally skipped, the bronze medallist from Kigali World Championships time trial will suddenly carry the weight of his team's expectations on his own shoulders more often than before.
"Not just me, but a large part of the team will have more opportunities," Van Wilder tells Sporza.
The 25-year-old will be targetting the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico, the Itzulia Basque Country and the Ardennes classics in the first block of racing. "I will be riding those races in a role in which I still have a lot of experience to gain. Just because you're a leader doesn't mean you have to talk about winning every race. You have to be realistic about that, and I am," he points out.
Top-5 would already be a success
In 2026, Van Wilder finished 7th at Volta ao Algarve, 10th at Paris-Nice, 6th at Itzulia Basque Country, 8th at Tour de Suisse and concluded season with a 7th place at Tour of Britain. What do these results have in common? Van Wilder finishing in top-10, but outside of top-5. And that will be his ambition to change during the season ahead.
"Last year I often finished in the top 10 of tough races. If I can then convert that into a top 5 or better, that would be fantastic."
In that respect, his 3rd place finish in the World Time Trial Championships, behind Evenepoel and Vine, made a difference. "That I was able to leave a rider like Pogacar (4th) behind me that day is quite special. That gives me confidence for this season."
Jay Vine, Remco Evenepoel and Ilan Van Wilder on Kigali 2025 World ITT Championships podium
Back to Tour
Despite his relatively young age, Van Wilder already got a taste of all three Grand Tours, and you don't need to interrogate him to figure out which caught his heart most - the Tour de France. Last year, he wasn't far from a stage victory on day 15. The stage up Mont Ventoux saw him arrive 4th on top of the windy mountain, after a massive shift for teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre who secured the win.
"It would be fantastic to win a stage of the Tour one day," says Van Wilder, his eyes sparkling. "I'm convinced that the roles can also be reversed someday. Because it won't have been the last time we were out together in the mountains."
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Well, maybe that's proof of the reason why SY left... remember he said he wanted to defend the Giro title and that it was an honor to go back to the race with the number one in his back....also mentioned that the calendar discussions were "exhausting"...he didn't feel valued enough, add the burn out... Done ✅ Just my opinionmhfrvz13-01-2026
- Giro + Tour, doesn’t sound like dodging to me TJ! Now, in true Trump style, you’ll probably claim it was decided in response to your provocation.Mistermaumau13-01-2026
- Jonas showed he has no problem doing a Vuelta well after going all out at the Tour, he will be ok doing the Giro first, he won’t have to go all out and it’s not all that much more in quantity than his typical prep. am sure they know how to adapt.Mistermaumau13-01-2026
- The original Danish article was also intended for an understanding home audience, not a culturally completely different and varied international one. As example, tax avoidance is seen in a much worse light in some countries than others where it’s almost a national sport and can even improve your reputation. That already accounts for a lot of gained/lost credit in people’s minds. Someone also mentioned something about EU finances in this thread if I remember, funny thing is, most of the moaning comes out of countries that receive more than they pay in.Mistermaumau13-01-2026
- It doesn’t matter by which rider from which team, nobody ever knows who will be next to spring a surprise on the established. MS may be a great rider but it wasn’t him that set up the win was it, he had the best and longest non-teammate lead-out of the season. Plenty of other riders would have had their chance to win in the same scenario and a few revelations since then should be added to such a list since then. Besides, attitude here is kind of weird, if someone wants to challenge they get stick, if someone resigns to racing for second or crumbs they get stick. Maybe they should all pack it in and kill the sport? On the other hand, maybe if fans paid something, smaller teams could afford to keep their best or just imagine, snatch some away from big money and actually make team tactics contribute to race excitement.Mistermaumau13-01-2026
- Maybe try to sell him or his coach or team the idea instead of giving it away for free here and seeing someone do it in your place.Mistermaumau13-01-2026
- Unlike you, I don't think Pogi is obsessed with Jonas. Plus I think he'd prefer to continue making Monument history rather than riding an extra GTmobk13-01-2026
- Pretty logical for Jonas to target the Giro. That would be amazing for him if he could join the very short list of riders who have won all three GTs.mobk13-01-2026
- The definition of hypocrisy : The danish 🐟 said in 2022-2025..."I'm only interested in the Tour, it's the only race that matters, creates legends. The danish 🐟 said in 2026: "If I had to choose between 1st Giro or 3st Tour, I choose Giro !?!? ... That's how it is when you think you're the strongest and Pogi the GOAT shows you that you're not. You change your priorities and start selling little white lies.NikkoNicco13-01-2026
- wow this is aggressive. good for Wout, hope he’s in top form.mij13-01-2026
Loading
Write a comment