From Van der Poel to Evenepoel, Gianni Vermeersch will have to be careful about slip-ups when addressing his new leader at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. After nearly a decade with the structure that will be known as Alpecin – Premier Tech from next year onwards, the 33-year-old Belgian set out on a new adventure in the German team outfit.Leaving behind his long-time captain Mathieu van der Poel with whom the team has celebrated eight Monument titles, Vermeersch will join quite a differently-minded team. Rather than Classics and sprints, the main areas of focus at Alpecin, he’ll find an ambitious GC lineup featuring stars such as Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic, Florian Lipowitz or Jai Hindley.He does so with a clear plan, although he admitted he still hasn’t been able to say goodbye to his former Alpecin teammates. “In fact, I still have to say goodbye to Mathieu and the whole team,” he told Sporza.
The change won’t be straightforward for the Belgian, long used to racing alongside Mathieu van der Poel: “It’ll take some getting used to. I’ve always raced on the road in Alpecin’s jersey and next to Mathieu. But this spring Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe showed interest, we discussed goals and reached an agreement quickly.”
“I haven’t been removed from the WhatsApp group yet. And I actually haven’t said my goodbyes, because officially I’m still a member of Alpecin-Deceuninck until 31.12. Although I’ve already completed a full training camp with my new team. My contract should have started on 01.11,” he didn’t pass up the opportunity to support UCI’s investigation into changing the contract durations.
Gianni Vermeersch will join Red Bull – BORA alongside Remco Evenepoel
Leadership for the Classics
Vermeersch arrives as another potential leader for the cobbled Classics team. Despite the numerous talented additions such as Van Dijke twins and Laurence Pithie, it’s become painfully clear that the project still has some work to be done after a disappointment that was the past spring campaign.
Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe has a clear plan for the 33-year-old, he confirms: “The idea is that I lead the team in the Flemish Classics. I know those races like the back of my hand. I also need to help turn the Classics unit into a strong, cohesive block. Last year there were very powerful riders, but they weren’t well coordinated. If we can become a real unit next spring, a lot is possible.”
Although beating his former leader Mathieu van der Poel seems a bit out of hand, still.
The Belgian is not giving up his own ambitions either: “I dream of Strade Bianche and, possibly, Paris-Roubaix. They’re races where a rider like me can deliver a strong result. Why ‘possibly’ in Roubaix? Because we have many options there with Jordi Meeus, the Van Dijke brothers and Laurence Pithie. At Strade Bianche I might be able to ride a bit more for myself.”
Despite leaving a Belgian team, Vermeersch will still cross paths several compatriots; Meeus, Maxim Van Gils, Arne Marit and Remco Evenepoel.
In particular the double Olympic champion will draw a lot of attention in his new colours: “I already had great fun training with Remco. I knew him quite well because he gets on very well with Mathieu and we used to train together in Spain. The bond was already there… and now it’s only going to grow stronger.”