Lennert van Eetvelt may not yet be a household name like Tadej Pogacar or Jonas Vingegaard, but the 22-year-old Belgian rider has no intention of being intimidated by cycling’s biggest stars as he heads into the 2025 season. His bold claim—“Pogacar is not that far away either”—speaks volumes about his confidence and ambition, marking him as a rider to watch in the coming years.
A Rising Star in the Peloton
Van Eetvelt’s progression over the past two seasons has been nothing short of meteoric. After turning professional with Lotto Dstny in 2023, he quickly carved a reputation as a versatile and aggressive rider. Known for his climbing prowess and fearless attitude, van Eetvelt shone in breakaways and displayed grit in high-altitude mountain stages.
Despite his relative inexperience, van Eetvelt has already begun to mix it up with the sport’s top riders. His top-10 finish in the Tour de Suisse and a breakout performance in the Ardennes Classics earlier this year hinted at his potential to challenge the status quo in the peloton.
“Cycling is changing,” van Eetvelt said in a recent interview. “The gap between the big names and the rest of us isn’t as massive as people think. Pogacar is obviously incredible, but he’s not invincible. You just need the right mindset, the right strategy, and maybe a little bit of luck.”
Confidence Built on Experience
Van Eetvelt’s declaration is not just empty bravado. Having raced alongside some of cycling’s brightest stars, he has firsthand experience of the sport’s harsh realities. In the 2024 Tour de France, he fought tooth and nail to stay in contention during the brutal Pyrenean stages, even briefly leading a breakaway that caught Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates off guard.
Though he eventually fell back, the experience cemented his belief that he can compete at the highest level. “That day in the Pyrenees changed something for me,” van Eetvelt explained. “I realized that Pogacar and Vingegaard are human. They’re incredible, but they’re not untouchable. That realization gave me the hunger to push myself even harder.”
Learning from the Best
Van Eetvelt isn’t shy about acknowledging his idols. He studies Pogacar’s racing style obsessively, analyzing the Slovenian’s unmatched ability to attack at just the right moment. But van Eetvelt is also determined to carve out his own identity.
“Pogacar is unpredictable, and that’s his strength. But I think there’s room for other approaches to succeed,” he said. “My goal isn’t to copy him but to find a way to beat him. Cycling isn’t just about raw power; it’s about strategy, resilience, and taking your chances when they come.”
2025: The Year of Breakthrough?
As the 2025 season approaches, van Eetvelt’s schedule is stacked with opportunities to prove himself. He’s targeting stage wins in the Giro d’Italia and has his sights set on a podium finish at the Critérium du Dauphiné. But his ultimate goal is to leave a mark on the Tour de France, where he hopes to challenge cycling’s most iconic names on the biggest stage.
“People always talk about Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel, and rightly so—they’re phenomenal,” van Eetvelt admitted. “But I believe there’s room for a new name in that conversation. Why not me?”
The Underdog Spirit
What makes van Eetvelt’s story so compelling is his underdog spirit. Coming from a country known for producing cycling legends like Eddy Merckx and Philippe Gilbert, van Eetvelt has embraced the weight of expectation without letting it crush him.
“I’m proud to be Belgian, and I want to represent that tradition of cycling greatness,” he said. “But I also want to prove that you don’t need to come from a big team or have a superstar label to succeed. Hard work and belief can take you far.”
A New Generation of Competitors
Van Eetvelt’s boldness is emblematic of a broader shift in professional cycling. With the rise of young, fearless riders, the sport is entering a new era where hierarchy means less and daring means more. Van Eetvelt is determined to be at the forefront of this revolution, proving that even the likes of Pogacar can be challenged.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy,” van Eetvelt concluded. “But cycling is about dreaming big. And my dream is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best—and maybe, just maybe, to beat them.”
Final Thoughts
As Lennert van Eetvelt prepares for what could be the defining season of his career, his confidence and determination are infectious. Whether or not he dethrones the likes of Pogacar, one thing is clear: he’s ready to give the world’s best a run for their money. And for cycling fans, there’s nothing more thrilling than an underdog with something to prove.
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