Stuyven and the challenges for himself and Lidl-Trek: "It may seem like dominance, but that’s not the case..."

This season, the Tour of the Algarve marks the starting point for many top cyclists. This includes Jasper Stuyven, who, like last year, will get the season underway in southern Portugal. In 2024, this resulted in a fantastic spring – until his crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen – which the cyclist from Leuven, Belgium, would like to repeat with a strong Lidl-Trek. IDLProCycling.com spoke with Stuyven on his team's media day in Spain.

Last winter, we saw many professional cyclists heading to South Africa, but Stuyven was there for some months spread over two periods. "My wife and I fell in love with South Africa, and it's nice to spend the winter months there because it's warm. She enjoys it there, and so do I, so it is a good place to be. We can train well there, on beautiful roads. It is also a paradise for mountain bikers, making it pleasant."

The Belgian living in Monaco explains that he does not have to be on his guard in South Africa. "I have never had any problems with safety: I have had more close encounters in Italy than in the months I spent there. You are a little more aware, but you are in Italy too. And it doesn't have to turn out badly because you are probably more alert."

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Stuyven still had knee problems after a crash in China

2024 was a successful year for Stuyven, but he also had bad luck. He was in top form when he hit the asphalt in Dwars door Vlaanderen, but the season ended on a low note with a crash in the Tour of Guangxi. That also had some lingering effects. "I had a good offseason but was a little less active than I had hoped because my knee bothered me more than expected. I was also a bit sick at the beginning of December but had a good build-up. So, in terms of timing, it wasn't bad at all. I am satisfied with where I am and my progress, so hopefully, I can build on that."

Stuyven has opted for a copy-paste approach to 2024, with the difference that he will be even more integrated into Jonathan Milan's train and will, therefore, ride Tirreno-Adriatico instead of Paris-Nice. "I like going to the Tour with a clear goal and a top sprinter like that. In the Giro, we showed that it is a train that can work exceptionally well, and it would be nice to repeat that success in the Tour."

But first, there is spring, during which Lidl-Trek made a huge impression in 2024. "The most prominent difference last year is that everyone had good preparation. In previous years, someone had always been ill, or we had been struggling with injuries, which meant we couldn't start with our A-team. Last season, we had the team we wanted at full strength. And that also applied to the first reserves, so we could use them."

"That brings a good vibe to the team," Stuyven explains. "If you can force the pace at the key moments, it builds confidence in the team. And that momentum then keeps on rolling. It started in Sanremo, but we also did very well in E3 – a race in which we hadn't performed well until now. We could continue that in Gent-Wevelgem by being present at the right moments."

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Stuyven explains the challenge that Lidl-Trek faces

In 2025, the team may have been reinforced even further with the arrival of Soren Kragh Andersen and the progress made by riders like Mathias Vacek. "The team managers certainly have a difficult choice because we have a strong selection. Some guys will be disappointed if we have eight or nine healthy men. And that's not fun, but it's a balance that everyone has to find. So, a strong team has advantages and disadvantages."

The biggest external factor compared to 2024 is the presence of Tadej Pogacar in the Flemish spring. "I think we don't have to ride at the front. That could give us an extra man in the final. But it also depends on the race situation, for example, whether Milan is still there."

"I think we should also ask Mathieu the Pogacar question when you see how he performed in the last Tour of Flanders," Stuyven points out. "Those two have something extra, and Wout can ride with them, but he has also had a bad year. We must create certain situations, but you can be in a ten-person group with four men. If you go to the Kwaremont, there are three better riders."

"Creating a different situation is a challenge," Stuyven explains the situation of his Lidl-Trek team. "Suppose you are left with four men, and two of them are already satisfied that they can follow; then you only have two left. For the sake of appearances, it may seem like dominance, but that's not the case.... It is easier said than done." What role will Stuyven play in this? "My role will depend on the specific situation. Mads can always pull out his sprint, a great weapon in the classics. Gent-Wevelgem was a good example, where Mads also finished first. Those are the moments we have to try to aim for."

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Stuyven enters 2025 with expiring contract

2025 will undoubtedly be an important year for 32-year-old Stuyven, whose contract is also expiring. "I am communicating more with my manager,' he says with a smile. 'It was nice to reach such a high-level last year, where I can compete for podium places and victories. That has given me a lot of confidence, but sometimes, it's a bummer when you don't see your hard work pay off. Still, the entire peloton is familiar with the Belgian's qualities, and he is a steady presence in the national selections. 'An outstanding performance doesn't change much for me. Participating in the races is the most important thing for me."

So Stuyven would like to spend the winter in South Africa, but would he also want to attend the World Championships in Rwanda? "It is a very tough course, and I am realistic enough to know that there are a lot of young guys on the doorstep for such a course. It is up to Serge Pauwels to see how we should approach it. He knows what he can expect from me, and we understand each other well. I will adapt to whatever plan he has in mind."

Stuyven does not find the possible trip to Rwanda particularly special. "I don't know if I see it as an experience because I also see it as controversial that we are going there. Everything will be five times more expensive because they know that Europeans are coming, and I don't know if that is the correct approach to putting Africa on the map."

Read also

"Tadej just had his breakfast," says Alaphilippe, who shares his opinion as the Pogacar of his time: "It makes me sad"

Fourth last year in the Tour of Flanders, but now back as domestique: "Pogačar isn't afraid of Van der Poel or Van Aert"

Does Kuss lose his role as Vingegaard's lieutenant to a teammate? "To make the difference, you need riders like him"

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