"When they are there, you know there aren't any opportunities for yourself" - Soudal - Quick-Step signing on racing next to Remco Evenepoel and Tim Merlier

Pascal Eenkhoorn is one of the seven new faces in Soudal - Quick-Step jersey in 2025. The former Dutch champion is far from a high-profile signing, but has proven in the past that he can win in important races, given the chance. However over the past two seasons with Lotto, Eenkhoorn walked away with only a couple of second places - statistic he plans to change this year.

With his 28th birthday approaching in February, the all-rounder is entering his strongest years. "I hope so," he tells WielerFlits. "I have a lot of experience that I will now take with me into the coming years, in which I hope to be able to ride good results. For myself, but also for the team. It is a pity that I have not managed to book a victory in the last two years. I have had the chance to win a few times – I would not say close – and I hope that I will get that chance again at Soudal - Quick-Step to be able to finish it off."

The difference between second and third place with winning is normally not that big. Eenkhoorn is confident that he will succeed in the coming years with this team. "With slightly better guidance, better nutrition and better equipment, I hope to win again now. I also think that The Wolfpack is known as a team where opportunities always arise. That is also the team spirit."

In Soudal - Quick-Step, he'll be teammates of some top-tier stars like Remco Evenepoel and Tim Merlier. Eenkhoorn is therefore aware that there'll be times when he'll be inevitably on the domestique duty. "Of course, with Tim Merlier and Remco Evenepoel you have two leaders of the highest level. When they are there, you know that you do not see any opportunities for yourself. But in some other races, those opportunities always arise."