If there is one Belgian rider currently on cloud nine, it’s track cyclist Lindsay De Vylder. After winning the team pursuit at the World Championships, he also claimed victory at the Six Days of Ghent last week. And it doesn’t stop there: this winter, the 30-year-old track rider will take the step to Alpecin-Deceuninck, where he also aims to build a road career as a lead-out rider.
"It really is a unique period," he reflected to us after the Six Days. "I have spent a lot of time riding around the Kuipke, but never before have the fans supported me and Fabio (his partner Van den Bossche, ed.) as much as now. Even impartial spectators got excited when we attacked, and that was really fun because I was coming to Ghent with a bit of a nervous heart. I had been a bit ill, and of course you don’t want to fail in that rainbow jersey."
This reflects De Vylder’s nature, who, despite his abilities, has never exuded great confidence. Yet since his 2024 omnium world title, he has grown strongly in that regard. "That was truly an eye-opener. It reignited my belief in myself and gave me more calmness towards my goals. I also saw in the data that I’m at my best-ever level. I’m a real late bloomer, maybe because I’ve never raced much on the road. My body has never had to handle a high load."
Stepping up to the WorldTour
But that might soon change. After eight years with Flanders Baloise, De Vylder is making the step to the WorldTour. "It does feel like the right moment. My body still has a lot of untapped potential, and I’m looking forward to discovering that. Two years ago, I already had talks with Intermarché-Wanty, but they never made an offer. Now, with Alpecin, it’s the first time it became really concrete."
"Of course, it's exciting to leave that familiar nest. But what reassures me is that I’ve already achieved a lot of great things. If it doesn’t work out with the Roodhoofts, I will still have had a nice career. That’s just how it is, and I’m at peace with that. On the other hand, I’ve talked a lot with Fabio and Robbe (Ghys, ed.), who are both leaving the team now. Despite their departure, they remain extremely positive. That says a lot. I know I’m joining a team that can definitely make me a better rider. I’m sure of that."
The top duo in action – photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Does that mean the end of track cyclist Lindsay De Vylder? "I don’t think so. We’re just going to approach it differently," De Vylder states firmly. "The World Cups, which I previously saw as main targets, won’t be possible anymore. The team has already made it clear that it will be very difficult to fit those in, in fact, the chance is almost nil. On the other hand, the World Championships won’t be a problem."
De Vylder still has Olympic ambitions as well. "For now, I’ve only signed for two seasons, but the 2028 Olympic Games are theoretically on their radar too. That was important because I still have unfinished business there," laughs the East Flanders track rider. "The team’s ambition is to win a medal in all three disciplines at the Olympics, so they definitely believe in that pathway. That’s definitely reassuring."
Lead-out
Regarding his brand-new road career, De Vylder has a specific role in mind. Just like his predecessors Ghys and Van den Bossche, and internationally also Jasper De Buyst, Roger Kluge and Michael Mørkøv, he wants to discover himself as a lead-out rider. "I tested that a bit for the first time this season with Jules Hesters. That’s also how I got noticed by the team. That’s the role I see myself doing and that comes closest to my abilities.
"Don’t expect me to immediately ride alongside Jasper Philipsen," De Vylder cautions. "Maybe I’ll start by trying with another sprinter on the team. Maybe with Kaden Groves, but that’s still unclear. They’ll first test what my possibilities are before throwing me to the lions with that absolute top sprinter. I’m going on a training camp soon, and things will become clearer there."
Lindsay De Vylder
