While half of the peloton is struggling, Sjoerd Bax is just getting into his stride: "I'm less active in the summer"

Tenth at the European Time Trial Championships – not a bad comeback for Sjoerd Bax in the Dutch national team jersey. At the age of 27, the UAE Team Emirates rider made his first appearance on behalf of the KNWU in nearly a decade, and it certainly didn't disappoint in Emmen.

Bax started quite early and set the fastest time at one point, but he still appeared dissatisfied upon crossing the finish line. "I couldn't find my rhythm," he said, only for us to remind him that he had kept pace with well-known time trialists like Yves Lampaert and Max Walscheid at one stage. The Uppel native from North Brabant looked at us in surprise.

"Maybe it's not supposed to feel good," he mused in conversation with IDLProCycling.com. "From the beginning, my legs felt heavy. I pushed through it, but it was a real struggle right from the start. Apparently, I had the fastest intermediate times, but that's something. We'll see how it turned out in the end," said the man who ultimately finished tenth.

"A time trial like this one here is really suited for specialists, and it's only the first year I've focused on it a bit," he admitted. "I hope to improve in the coming years. I haven't been in a wind tunnel yet, for example. If I can do that, I believe I can make further progress," he explained. "The team has also supported me well in this endeavor over the past few months, but access to a wind tunnel could help me take the next step."

Bax again good in final months of season

For Bax, this time trial confirms his excellent form, which he previously showcased in Sunday's Trofeo Matteotti, a race he won. So, much like last year, he's finding success in the final months of the season. How does he explain it? "In the summer, when it's really hot, I often struggle a bit. After the spring, I took a break, and during the Tour, I had the opportunity to train really well," he explained. "I really need that, and it's paying off now. I tend to perform well during certain periods of the year and not quite as well during others," said Bax. He clarified that he doesn't suffer from Septemberitis, a phenomenon where motivation wanes as the year progresses.