“Let's hope you find another Tadej”- Tim Declercq gives his view on the rise of Slovenian cycling

Tim Declercq may be in the thick of racing at the 2025 Tour of Slovenia, but the Lidl–Trek rider still found time to reflect on the race’s scenic setting, his team’s ambitions, and the impact of Slovenian cycling on the sport.

“I think Slovenia is not as tourist-heavy as, for example, Italy, but it has a lot of beautiful, yet still hidden gems,” Declercq told Sportal. “Of course, there is not much time to explore the surroundings during the race, but what I manage to see is beautiful.”

While he admits he struggles with the language, one memory still stands out. “If you ask me about a specific place that I liked during my past visits to Slovenia, it's hard for me to say, because the Slovenian language is extremely complicated and I couldn't remember the name, let alone be able to pronounce it, but I still have photos on my phone of the view from my hotel room of the Slovenian mountains that I took in Slovenia more than ten years ago.”

Declercq is supporting a Lidl–Trek team with clear dual goals in Slovenia. “We have set ourselves two goals. On the one hand, we want to be successful with sprinter Tim Torn Teutenberg, and in the general classification our trump cards are Tao Geoghegan Hart and Juan Pedro López. I think we have a very well-balanced team.”

As for his own form, Declercq is still adjusting after a transatlantic trip over the weekend. “I first want to get over the jet lag as soon as possible, as I traveled to Slovenia directly from Kansas in the USA, where I competed in the Unbound Gravel race. I expect that I will be in good shape quickly and that you will often see me at the very front of the pack during the race.”

Asked about the country’s growing influence in cycling, Declercq was full of admiration. “It's amazing what you can achieve – and not just the guys at the top. You also have great helpers. Your country has it all. Let's hope you find another Tadej! Well, maybe not as good as Tadej Pogacar ... because that's not good for the rest (laughs). It's really impressive how many successful cyclists come from such a small country.”