"The way that I think is right, not in the way that others think" - Visma's training regiment a reason for Dylan van Baarle's departure

Modern cycling requires an extreme level of dedication and attention to detail, more so than when Dylan van Baarle turn pro. Often, it is difficult to balance one's desires with what is objectively assessed as the best training and preparation methods, and that is partially the reason why the former Paris-Roubaix winner departed Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

The Dutchman won the 'Hell of the North' in 2022 and in the years leading up to it, he proved to be one of the very best classics riders in the world, alongside a great rouleur and a rider who would have great value as a domestique. Although his three years with Visma were scattered with injuries and illnesses - he suffered four fracture-inducing crashes in this period - he still managed to help the team win a Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.

His role as a road captain became quite important for several of his teammates, however what was the biggest issue to him was the small amount of input of his that ultimately played a role in how the team had him prepare for competition. "It's all a bit freer than I was used to. I have a little more of my own input, so to speak," van Baarle shared with Wielerevue. It is the limbo that most top teams face, where the demands are extremely high, and every single detail is taken into consideration.

"I always thought I needed more structure. That's true, but with a bit more personal interpretation. I like to make a clear plan, but in the way that I think is right, not in the way that others think is right for me. I like being more in control, and they let me do that more here."

Van Baarle, alongside his fellow veteran Jasper Stuyven, have now signed with Soudal - Quick-Step and have become the team's new cobbled classics leaders. Quick-Step has been missing in action for quite a while in the cobbled classics, but there is a good chance they can bounce back already in the next few months.

They both join Paul Magnier, whom van Baarle has praised upon his first encounters: "He's also a playful guy who doesn't yet know his limits. When we were in California for wind tunnel testing, he wanted to do all sorts of things in between. He wanted to go bowling, he wanted to go karting. He has an inexhaustible source of energy".

Van Baarle, 33, will also take on a guiding role for the Frenchman, as he did for Matthew Brennan - two sprinters who seem to handle the classics quite well, and may be rivals at the top in a few years. "Matthew Brennan is also an incredible talent, but I think Paul has even more. Paul is so talented. I hope Jasper Stuyven and I can guide him a bit, so he'll soon be at the top of the classics," he concluded.