For the second time in his career, Danny van Poppel is reinventing himself. As a rediscoverer, he somewhat resembles the Dutch Victor Campenaerts. Yet, according to the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider, his new role is only temporary. Next year, his German team will deploy him as a finisher in sprints. Until this season, he was still a lead-out man, arguably the best in the world. In an interview with WielerFlits, the Dutch champion eagerly looks ahead to 2026.
Van Poppel is taking a different direction next season. Although he will once again ride the Tour Down Under (with a full sprint train at his disposal), his program will drastically change after returning from Australia. No more UAE Tour or Paris-Nice, but for the first time in six years, the entire Opening Weekend. Afterwards come Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem, and a training camp at altitude targeting his main goal of the season: the Giro d’Italia. This means he will ride the Tour de France for the first time since 2021.
‘I was a bit done with it’
During the NIBC Tour of Holland 2025, Van Poppel already indicated he will no longer lead out sprinters who aren’t among the world’s elite. “The team asked me if it was an option to sprint again myself. My victory at the Dutch championships helped speed up that decision. I want to show off that red-white-blue jersey. For me, 2026 is a transitional year. There are four or five world-class sprinters, so to speak. If I really feel someone is much faster than me, then we go for it. Otherwise, not anymore.”
“I’ve worked so hard over the past four years that I was a bit done with it,” Van Poppel refers to—respectfully—second-tier sprinters like Sam Welsford and Sam Bennett. “That’s why I accepted the option the team presented me—to sprint again myself. Last season, I already managed to win four times, including sprints against Dylan Groenewegen and Olav Kooij. I’ve decided to go all in. The team has also invested in the sprint train, which shows confidence. I’m really excited about it!”
Team has invested in the train for Van Poppel
Despite the arrival of Remco Evenepoel, the German outfit has indeed worked hard to provide helpers for Van Poppel and also Jordi Meeus. With Jarrad Drizners (26), Haimar Etxeberria (22), and Arne Marit (26), three of the nine new signings are focused on the sprint project around the Belgian and the Dutch champion. “Haimar can get over a small hill, and the other two guys already have a lot of experience. That was still a bit lacking. Besides them, of course, there are also the Van Dijks (Mick and Tim), Laurence Pithie, and Callum Thornley. A strong guy coming from our U23 squad, he’s really one to watch.”
One to watch: Callum Thornley - photo: fotopersburo Cor Vos
The new sports director at the team is Zakkari Dempster, who came over from INEOS Grenadiers. He revealed that Van Poppel's choice to sprint again was also motivated by fatherhood, as he wants to celebrate wins for his children. “Well, that’s not entirely true,” laughs the sprinter himself. “Although of course, that’s a nice aspect.” In any case, I’m happy Zak is here. We are really on the same wavelength. I already see so many positive things in this team. It was already top level. But for the final step to the absolute top of the world, we really need him. I’m very confident that with the new signings, we will definitely make the cut in 2026.”
Biting his lip during the Tour
Van Poppel is pleased with the straightforwardness with which Dempster has started his new role. “I just always want to win, whether as a finisher or as a lead-out. I know I am not the fastest, but I can survive a climb and then take my chances. Last year, it already worked four times. With more confidence, more support, a clear plan, and a focused program, that can happen again—or with a late attack like in the NIBC Tour of Holland. For me, 2025 was definitely a great season. At my first talk with Zak, he immediately told me that the team really sees me as a sprinter now. That we will try that for a season.”
Marit, Meeus, and Van Poppel at last week’s media day - photo: fotopersburo Cor Vos
As a result, he will no longer ride as a positioner for the GC leader in the Tour de France. He had that role the last two seasons for Primož Roglič. “In 2023 and last year, Jordi joined occasionally, but then I was the only one for him. It may be a bit strange to say, but to be honest, I’d rather go to the Tour with a top sprinter and try to win stages. For a GC team, sometimes I did stages with a heavy heart, where I had to drop off in the final kilometers. Of course, it hurts not to ride the Tour this year. But now I’m a sprinter again, not a helper for a leader.”
In his new role, after Gent-Wevelgem, he will prepare for the Giro d’Italia with a training camp at altitude. “Where I can go for my own chances in the flat stages. That’s super cool! I’m a bit surprised this is all happening now because I didn’t really plan it this way. But I love the idea of going to the Giro in that red-white-blue jersey. I wanted to ride another Grand Tour as champion, and then only the Giro remains. Who knows, maybe it will happen. I’ll do my best—we’re going for it. No pressure. I believe I can win there,” says Van Poppel, who won his first and so far only Grand Tour stage at the 2015 Vuelta a España.
Normally, no Tour for Van Poppel, although Dempster leaves the possibility open. “I don’t rule out that we might still take a sprinter,” says the Australian. However, Meeus has already indicated that he is on the longlist for the Tour. “Next year we develop Danny and Jordi separately. For both, that’s a challenging strategy. They will each have a dedicated lead-out; we just need to decide who gets Etxeberria or Marit. Danny himself is one of the best lead-outs, but he also wanted to win in red-white-blue. He’s in his early thirties and wanted to seize that chance. But if Danny and Jordi often finish second, we might have to reconsider during the season. But for now, that’s not the plan.”[/wftk_box]
Over ten years ago, Van Poppel defeated Daryl Impey and Tosh Van der Sande – photo: fotopersburo Cor Vos
Danny van Poppel| Race | Date |
|---|---|
 Santos Tour Down Under | 20 Jan - 25 Jan |
| Surf Coast Classic - Men | 29 Jan |
| Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race - Men | 1 Feb |
 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad | 28 Feb |
| Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne | 1 Mar |
 Tirreno-Adriatico | 9 Mar - 15 Mar |
| Milano-Sanremo | 21 Mar |
| In Flanders Fields | 29 Mar |
| Giro d'Italia | 9 May - 31 May |
