"The Vuelta will be my first Grand Tour" - Belgium's next big GC hopeful set for long-awaited WorldTour step up following award-winning 2025

Belgian climbing talent Jarno Widar has confirmed that his first season in the senior ranks will include a debut appearance at the Vuelta a Espana, signalling the beginning of a long-planned transition from U23 phenomenon to WorldTour contender.

Speaking in conversation with HLN, the 20-year-old made it clear he is not simply excited by the opportunity — he is already preparing for the demands, the learning curve and the responsibility that will come with it.

“Normally, I will ride Strade Bianche, La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege in the spring," Widar previews of his long-awaited step up in 2026. "Maybe also the Amstel Gold Race, but that depends on how I come out of the Tour of the Basque Country. After that, the Vuelta will be my first Grand Tour, and I will finish the season with Il Lombardia.”

That clarity of direction comes at what feels like the natural end point to his U23 journey — a journey capped not only by major results, but also by a second successive Belofte van het Jaar (Young Rider of the Year) trophy at the Kristallen Fiets awards. “No, I am very happy with it. It is my second in a row and it is always an honour to win a prize. That means I have done something good again this year,” Widar reflected.

Despite results including Liege-Bastogne-Liege U23, victory at the Fleche Ardennaise, overall wins at the Ronde de l’Isard and the Giro della Valle d’Aosta, plus stage success at the Giro NextGen, Widar insists his satisfaction comes from internal progress rather than palmares.

“I am especially satisfied that I made a very big step forward in terms of values. And fortunately, the results followed as well. I am very pleased about that. The most important for me is that I have seen progression in myself.”

When choosing his personal highlight, he did not hesitate. “The European Championships, without a doubt.” The triumph carried extra meaning after a difficult World Championships one week earlier. “That world title was actually the only reason why I stayed U23 for one more year in 2025. It did not really work out, but I tried and I have nothing to complain about.”

His self-reflection extends beyond racing. “In the past I had a love-hate relationship with the press. (laughs) Actually I did not like the press at all. I used to read a lot of negative articles about other riders and did not want that to happen to me, so I was quite defensive.”

Over time, that attitude evolved. “I have learned that the press is also there to help the sport move forward. You are really friendly towards me. It has to come from both sides and that is the case now. It is nice.”

His competitive instinct remains sharp — especially when recalling battles at the Tour de l’Avenir. “Those battles I fought with Paul Seixas… I have already re-watched those clips a few times because I find them so beautiful.”

The step up to the World Tour squad Lotto-Intermarche represents far more than a promotion for Widar — it represents fulfilment on a deeply personal level. “It is a dream come true. For me, it does not really matter anymore what else I achieve, because when I was a little boy riding around here, it was already a dream just to race among the pros.”

That childhood ambition now sits alongside new objectives, even if he prefers to keep them strictly internal. “I have already achieved something that will make me really happy. I am proud of that. Although of course I have new dreams.”

He will not reveal them publicly. “I am not saying, because that always brings bad luck. (laughs) Like the Worlds… I have learned to simply stay quiet and only set goals in my head and with the team — and work calmly towards them.”

With Belgium long searching for its next long-term GC leader, the anticipation surrounding Widar’s move to the WorldTour will only intensify. As he concluded: “We can only dream and give our best. It will be an adventure, hey. I am very curious.”