Dylan van Baarle: "I want to return to my 2022 form and compete in finales again"

A new adventure is about to begin for Dylan van Baarle: the classics in service of Soudal Quick-Step. The former Paris-Roubaix winner and ex-Dutch champion has made a conscious decision to leave Visma | Lease a Bike behind, and in this Wielerflits interview, he talks about his expectations for 2026. “I want to get back to that level, and then I know I can compete in the finales.”

We speak with Van Baarle at the Volta ao Algarve, where he is logging his first race kilometers for Soudal Quick-Step. He helped sprinter Paul Magnier to two stage wins and impressively finished tenth himself on the tough finale to Alto do Malhão. A sign heading into the spring classics season? "I had a good winter in a new environment. I had no injuries and I didn’t get sick."

How different is your approach compared to recent years?
"I would say it’s more like three or four years ago. That was the period when I got the best out of myself, and we’ve tried to pick that up again."

You’ve spent a lot of time with Jasper Stuyven lately, and you’re also riding around Algarve with Yves Lampaert. What do you expect from the new Soudal Quick-Step this spring? Especially after the reinforcements.
"We can certainly expect to see Soudal Quick-Step competing in the finales again. I had a good training camp with Jasper in Tenerife, and I hope that with our presence, we can elevate the team to a higher level. So that guys like Yves, Dries Van Gestel, and of course Paul Magnier can also make that step up. We’re hoping for a very strong spring."

How important is experience in this? You mention riders with a lot of experience in the classics. What do you already notice about that?
"You’ve already been through it all. You know what the race feels like, how it unfolds. We’re also trying to pass that on to Paul. But I think it mainly comes down to the race itself, where you can guide each other."

That you only need a glance, that you recognize the key moment more easily?
"Yes, exactly. But that actually only happens during the race itself."

Have you also set expectations for yourself? To deliver results in races.
"No, not really. I want to get back to the 2022 level, and whether that’s with a tenth place, a third place, or a victory… we’ll see. I want to get back to that level, and then I know I can compete in the finales."

Recently you gave interviews about your past years at Visma | Lease a Bike. Stories from other departures are also being mentioned when discussing the team. How do you view that, that it is now being addressed?
"I think that mostly comes from the Dutch media. I said what I wanted to say, and the rest is up to you to decide what you make of it."

But your choice to leave was also made because you wanted to get back to your old form.
"Definitely, it was a conscious choice, and so far I’m very happy with it."

It’s nice that you have already achieved your first wins of the season here in Algarve.
"Of course, it’s always great when the first win comes quickly. It’s good for the team’s confidence and for Paul himself."

Tim Merlier not racing yet, is that a drawback heading into spring?
"It’s really a shame that he’s not here now. But luckily, Paul Magnier is in good form and I hope Tim will come back soon."