"We can't do more than our best" - Ilan Van Wilder urges to stop unrealistic comparisons to UAE's star-filled mountain armada
Cycling
For a second year in a row, Remco Evenepoel enters the Tour de France as an underdog, a challenger who should stand up to the reign of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. But unlike those two, he cannot count on a super team of domestiques. Even more so now, since it became clear that Mikel Landa won't be able to participate.
That puts extra weight on the shoulders of Ilan Van Wilder who should be the last helper of Evenepoel in key moments. Even more important role than last year. "But actually, not much will change for me," Van Wilder assures Wieler Revue about his role.
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Eighth overall at Tour de Suisse last month, the 25-year-old Belgian certainly seems to be in a good shape heading to Tour. "I will do my utmost to support my leader as long as possible during the difficult days. I do think that I am a little better than last year. That I have taken a step further. I hope to show that in the Tour."
Is he worried about the general strength of UAE and Visma? "No, I'm not thinking about that. First of all, I hope to stay safe, especially in the first week," is his answer to that. "It goes without saying that positioning for those hectic finals is not for me. That is not my job either. I have to get through the first part safely, so that I can do my job afterwards."
Last year, a lot of critique fell on the head of Evenepoel's Soudal - Quick-Step teammates for leaving their leader vulnerable. Those voices were heard again at the Criterium du Dauphiné where the Olympic champion fell short of his opponents. "It's a bit of the same story with the criticism, but I'm much less concerned about it," says Van Wilder.
"It's very easy to always compare us with teams that use captains as domestiques, like UAE. In my opinion, that's not a realistic comparison." Van Wilder then stands up for his teammates. "I know that those guys who are there are just going to give one hundred percent for the leaders. We can't do more than our best. I am convinced that we are all at a high level."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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