"Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert inspire me" - Picnic PostNL leader targets the Classics and sets sights winning a Grand Tour as his goal

Czech rider Pavel Bittner arrives at the Volta ao Algarve, which starts this Wednesday, to begin his 2026 season. It’s a later start than usual, but the Team Picnic PostNL rider has his goals clearly defined.

“I’m starting a bit later than usual at the Volta ao Algarve, and the main objectives, just like in recent seasons, are the big spring one-day races. I’m focused on all the Classics up to and including Paris–Roubaix, and then I’ll take some recovery time before the second part of the season.”

After a calm winter, without illness or injury, Bittner spent Christmas with his family and, when he got back on the bike, he noticed his power had improved as a result of his work and physical development.

“Like in previous years, we did a 20-minute test and I improved again. But above all, my physical response to higher workloads has improved. I feel better after long training days, which is very important for a sprinter and for a classics rider. It’s not just the numbers, I simply feel better. I can really take the step to become a leader”, he told IDLProCycling.

For Bittner, a pure sprinter who is getting stronger and whose goals include both the spring Classics and races decided in bunch sprints, choosing between Classics or sprinting is not easy.

“I prefer to combine both. A hard race in the legs and then a demanding sprint in a smaller group, that’s perfect. Sprinting is really fun, but I’m also developing into a more complete rider, so I hope to show something in the one-day races too. That starts at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, but maybe also in the longer and tougher Classics.”

Although the Dutch team does not have a luxury lead-out train to deliver Bittner perfectly positioned and well protected, the Czech rider has a clear opinion on that.

“I think many sprinters nowadays can be very effective with just two or three teammates supporting them. If you have strong riders around you who position you well for the finale and you still have energy, that’s more important than a full train. Lidl–Trek shows that very well, you can win bunch sprints with fewer riders.”

“I talked about that with my coach. I want to stay focused on both aspects to grow in the most complete way possible. Riders like Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert win so many races and can also win bunch sprints. I want to get faster so I can fight with the quickest guys. But I also want to keep the endurance for one-day races. Those are still the most special races to win.”

Comparing himself to Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert, two riders with many victories in the peloton, might seem bold. But Bittner remains calm.

“Everyone needs someone to admire. You have to dream big, chase it and believe. Those riders have been very good for a long time and they keep evolving, especially Mads. That motivates me to be like that too. We also have riders like John Degenkolb on the team, who has been in the peloton for many years. I can learn a lot from him.”

This year he still doesn’t know if he will ride a Grand Tour. And if he does, he doesn’t know in which one he might fight for a victory, as he already did in 2024, when he won stage 5 of the Vuelta, beating Wout van Aert and Kaden Groves in a sprint.

“I think it’s realistic to aim for victories. I hope to stay healthy and race without injuries. I’d like to win another stage in a Grand Tour, like I did in the Vuelta a España. That’s the focus, even if I don’t yet know which Grand Tour I’ll ride.”

He is in the final year of his contract with Picnic PostNL, but that doesn’t keep him up at night or force him to work harder for results. Even with the team having lost important riders in recent times, he feels at home and remains calm.

“I’ve been here for a while, so I feel a family atmosphere and I’m happy here. I’m growing into a leadership role and that brings responsibility. I like that, because it only makes me better. I’ll simply give my best and then we’ll see what happens in terms of the contract. Everything is open, but if Picnic PostNL’s offer is good, I’d like to stay.”