"No one acts superior" - Alpecin teammate on the environment at the table with Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen

The Tour Auvergne - Rhône Alpes could've seen Ramses Debruyne of Alpecin-Premier Tech in the yellow jersey. In the absence of the Belgian team's major leaders, the young all-rounder was able to reach the spotlight in a rare position of leadership. He describes this moment and his point of view with teaming up with Mathieu van der Poel.

"I am a rider who can handle many courses. I am an all-rounder, puncher, and climber," Debruyne said in words to Sporza. A product of the team's development in 2024, he turned pro last year and stood out as one of the team's very few climbers. He's had opportunities because of it, and this year he is grabbing them with both hands.

Top25 results at La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège were good benchmarks, and at Auvergne he was part of the late GC move in the peloton over the final kilometers. He sprinted to second on the day, only behind breakaway winner Alex Baudin. This had him in the race's green jersey and a position he hasn't yet been before at World Tour level.

"So, a bit broad. I have already ridden a few good races in the U23 category, but it remains to be seen how you end up in the pros, because it is three levels higher". The team struggled through the TTT and he lost a few positions in the overall classification, however he heads into stage 4 in 19th place.

But the Belgian, despite being on a separate block as that of Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, has met up with them on occasions and has spent training camps with the superstar duo. The 23-year was asked about the environment in the team with their presence, and the feedback is only positive.

"They are all great guys in our team. When we sit at the table, there is always laughter. No one acts superior. It is really a good time," he concluded.