Meet EF pro Van der Lee: "Especially on the 20- and 60-minute tests, I impressed them"

In the span of just one year, 22-year-old Jardi van der Lee has transitioned from a peloton filler in the U23 category to a professional rider in the WorldTour. And that statement is not an exaggeration. In an exclusive interview with IDLProCycling.com, we sat down with the young cyclist to discuss his journey to joining EF Education-EasyPost and why his ultimate aspiration isn't centered around the Giro or Tour, but the Vuelta.

From the age of eight to twenty, Van der Lee's road results were hardly remarkable. However, he began to exhibit increasingly impressive performances on Zwift as he grew older. By the end of 2022, his high watt per kilo ratio on the virtual platform ranked him among the best in the world. At the time, he didn't pay much attention to it, but little did he know, it marked the start of a genuine cycling career.

Following a productive winter and steady improvement, the Dutch national coach recognized untapped potential in Van der Lee. Gradually, their discussions began. "However, I had never achieved notable results on the road before," Van der Lee explained. "So, I needed to prove myself." In May, his prowess in climbing became evident as he achieved great form. He won the Bergomloop Simpelveld after participating in a race in Limburg for two consecutive weeks. Just ten days later, the national coach included him in a Nations Cup race in Poland.

Van der Lee impresses in Poland, EF seeks contact

During the demanding second stage of that Polish race, Van der Lee found himself expending a significant amount of energy even before reaching the final climb. "We shared the same responsibility – to keep each other at the front, thereby safeguarding ourselves as well," he reflected. "Although I wasn't entirely fresh, I managed to hold my own on that challenging climb and secured an eighth-place finish in the stage." Subsequent to that performance, interest began to grow from various (continental) teams. Ultimately, Van der Lee secured a fourth-place overall finish, surpassing notable talents like Antonio Morgado (joining UAE the following year). "Not long after that, EF reached out to me for the first time."

The American team acted swiftly. Van der Lee was invited to a testing center in Amsterdam. In a press release, EF team manager Jonathan Vaughters already noted that the Dutchman "impressed on the ergometer" at that facility. Van der Lee himself remains modest, stating, "It went well. I believe I particularly made an impression during the twenty- and sixty-minute tests." Vaughters and sports director Sebastian Langeveld were convinced, leading them to extend a two-year contract offer for 2024 and 2025 to Van der Lee. He will also have the opportunity to join the team as a trainee during the latter months of 2023.

Van der Lee: 'My heart is with the Vuelta'

His first dream has come true – he is now an official professional cyclist. Yet, the time has come to pursue his next aspiration. "For most guys who turn pro, nothing is more coveted than a spot in the Tour de France. For me, it's a bit different. My heart is set on the Vuelta a España."

This leads us to Jay Vine quite naturally. The Australian entered the pro scene after an impressive Zwift campaign with what was then Alpecin-Fenix. In his inaugural year, he earned the opportunity to participate in the Vuelta. He secured notable placements and, upon his return the following year, he even clinched victory in two stages. A smile graces Van der Lee's face as he reflects, "It would be incredibly rewarding if I could make my debut there right away."

However, the Dutchman quickly retreats to his modest stance. "Though I need to remain realistic. Three weeks of racing is a different league compared to five days. A significant amount of training is required. I'm uncertain if I can make such leaps in my first year."

'I think I can develop a lot more in the coming years'

In any event, discussions about grand tours have not yet taken place between Van der Lee and his team. "No agreements have been made on that front. We already have a plan in place. I'll focus on the lower-ranked races at the beginning of the year, and then naturally progress to more challenging events. This approach is even more crucial for me since I've never competed at the continental level. Therefore, it's likely that my WorldTour debut won't occur until later in the year."

Despite his youth, the young rider remains consistently modest. However, Van der Lee is brimming with self-confidence. "I've always had the belief that I can push myself even harder and have the desire to do so. There's undoubtedly more potential to tap into. I held onto this confidence even when I was just a minor part of the peloton during my junior years. I truly believe there's ample room for further development in the years to come."

Van der Lee: 'Why not aim for classifications?'

He aspires to primarily develop as a classification rider. "To provide an example, I don't currently have a time trial bike. I've always used a road bike with an adapted handlebar setup. Nevertheless, the prologue in the Nations Cup in the Czech Republic (Van der Lee participated in the Czech Republic after Poland, ed.) went quite well. If I dedicate proper training to time trials and use good equipment, I can see significant improvement in that area. With the wattages I'm currently achieving, I could potentially, over time, compete with the GC riders."

He's alluding to riders who consistently secure top ten positions in major tours, except for the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. The potential might indeed be there, so why not strive for it in the medium term? That untapped talent might be within me." This final statement encapsulates Van der Lee's essence: an ambitious young athlete who's content with his current achievements yet continually gazes forward. "Because," he adds, "I haven't reached my limits yet."