"We usually work together to make fun of the rest" - Gianni Vermeersch on special relationship with Mathieu van der Poel

Gianni Vermeersch never saw a big career for himself as a roadie. After all, ten years ago, he was still chasing the shadow of then rising kings of the cyclocross Mathieu van der Poel and Wout Van Aert. A decade later, he is racing alongside the Dutchman in Alpecin-Deceuninck jersey on road. And what's more the two have developed a special bond.

"I could never have dreamed that myself," says the 31-year-old Belgian at WielerFlits. "Ten years ago I was still a full-time cyclo-crosser and I wanted to get the most out of it. But over the years I have grown with the team. Now I have ridden monuments and grand tours. In the end I have been able to build a better career than I could ever have dreamed of."

The two share the same sense of humor and are often partners in crime. "Mathieu usually takes the piss out of me, we like to take the piss out of the others together. Mathieu himself rarely lets himself be caught doing something that we can catch him out on. Just like in racing, a little bit. But we usually work together to take the piss out of the rest."

Still, don't think they're always the jokers. "That's usually during training. We just have fun on the bike. Mathieu is really good at puns. It's more than that we really pull off big pranks. What's our worst joke ever? Ppff... I'll use my joker!", grins the Belgian.