“Now I feel like a real cyclist” – Mick van Dijke prepares for Tour de France debut with Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe

For most riders, a first Tour de France start is the culmination of a dream. For 25-year-old Mick van Dijke, it’s also a confirmation, of progress, trust, and belonging. The Dutchman, who will make his Grand Tour debut next week in Lille, spoke to Wielerflits about his path to the start line and what it means to finally join cycling’s biggest stage.

“I already knew in November that I was part of plan A,” van Dijke said. “You just have to show that you are good, otherwise you simply won’t go.” His spring campaign did enough to convince the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe management. “Fortunately, Paris-Nice went well this spring, the team was very pleased with that. The classics also went well, but I wasn’t satisfied with the results there. However, the team then finally decided that I would go.”

His form remained consistent at the Critérium du Dauphiné, a key test for riders vying for Tour roles. “I was fortunately able to continue the line of Paris-Nice, so that was very nice.”

Van Dijke will play a key support role over the opening 10 days, a phase he describes as critical, particularly for team leader Primoz Roglic. “The course is super difficult with lots of narrow roads, lots of twists and turns. We are well prepared for that with a few classics guys.” Roglič is attempting to reclaim a place atop the Tour’s general classification after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia in May, and van Dijke will be part of the effort to keep him out of trouble early on.

He expects to split duties depending on the terrain. “Initially I’ll work for the classification riders. But in the first half of the Tour we’ll see per stage whether Laurance Pithie is going to help our train with Danny van Poppel and sprinter Jordi Meeus, or whether I’m going to do that. That depends on the course.”

Despite the flat stages being his initial priority, van Dijke isn’t ruling out deeper support in the mountains, though he’s realistic. “I know that if I’m at my level, they won’t be riding me off the first climb. But I’ll also quickly choose my own pace if it’s too hard uphill. I noticed that again in the Dauphiné... Those men just ride you off uphill at 480–500 watts.”

The message from the team has been clear: this is about the overall classification. “The classification is the most important thing, we’re going to do everything we can.” He hinted that the team has a “special tactic” in store, but kept tight-lipped on specifics. “You never know how things will go, but I won’t get any chances myself. I can’t tell you much more about our battle plan.”

Still, the chance to be on the start line is not lost on him. “Of course I am nervous in some ways, but the fact that I can ride the Tour is also a huge compliment,” he said. “I am 25 years old now, it is also time for my first Grand Tour. I have heard from several people that the Tour is extra hectic… but you want to ride it as a young rider.”

Van Dijke’s pride is unmistakable. “I really wanted to ride a Grand Tour. I wouldn’t have dared to dream that it would be the Tour. The Tour is the Champions League of cycling. Everything revolves around it. I’d like to confirm that the team is taking me along and has confidence in me.”

That confidence is deeply personal. For van Dijke, this isn’t just another start, it’s a milestone in identity. “I am finally a cyclist now, that is how it feels to me. When people ask you what kind of work you do and you tell them you are a cyclist, they immediately ask if you are also riding the Tour. That says enough about the status of this race. It is a great honour that I am allowed to go there, super cool. As a young boy, the Tour is a dream. To be allowed to participate in it is actually an achievement in itself in modern cycling.”