Alpecin-Deceuninck: Van der Poel and co approach perfection, yet the Roodhoofts opt for further selection
CyclingThursday, 23 November 2023 at 16:23
For many cycling teams, preparations for 2024 are quietly starting, but at Alpecin-Deceuninck, the show never stops. The team of the Roodhooft brothers is, of course, very active in the cyclo-cross circuit, but still, as the year draws to a close, IDLProCycling.com wants to takes one more look back at the road performances of 2023!
One-day races 2023: Alpecin-Deceuninck
World Championships in cycling? Victory. Paris-Roubaix? Victory and second place. Milan-San Remo? Victory. Tour of Flanders? Second place. E3 Saxo Classic? Second place. Classic Brugge-De Panne? Victory. Scheldeprijs? Victory. Eschborn-Frankfurt? Victory. Actually, Alpecin-Deceuninck was only absent in Gent-Wevelgem and the Opening Weekend, but with everything the team achieved in 2023, that's hardly worth mentioning.
With victories in three of the six biggest one-day races in the world, the team has more than left its mark on the 2023 cycling year, while also achieving several impressive performances and victories a notch or two below. The only area where they haven't fully blossomed yet is in the hill classics, though that is something the team is likely targeting more in the long term. This was underscored by the junior world title of powerhouse Axel Laurance, who will be joining the professional team next year.
Of course, these achievements are mainly attributable to team leaders Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, but we must not forget the performances of riders like Soren Kragh Andersen, Jonas Rickaert, Gianni Vermeersch and Silvan Dillier in their service. Although it’s not as often talked about as with other teams, the Roodhoofts have managed to put together a very impressive team in terms of depth over the last few years. And that is definitely worthy of praise.
(Grand) tours 2023: Alpecin-Deceuninck
Just like we said about the hill classics, we actually also shouldn't judge Alpecin-Deceuninck on the final standings in grand tours or one-week stage races, because that is simply (not yet) the team's focus. In the majority of the multi-day races, it's primarily about stage wins, especially in the grand tours.
And from that perspective, the team performed well in 2023: stage victories were achieved in the Giro (one), Tour (four) and Vuelta (three), with sprinters Philipsen and Kaden Groves also managing to win the points classification in the latter two races.
It was these two men who also succeeded in securing multiple stage wins in races such as Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Catalonia in the spring, while Philipsen later in the season also hit the mark in races such as the Baloise Belgium Tour, Renewi Tour and the Tour of Turkey. Van der Poel won the team's only overall classification, in the Baloise Belgium Tour.
Final grade 2023 Alpecin-Deceuninck
You can describe Alpecin-Deceuninck's 2023 road season as a stellar year. Not for nothing did team leader Van der Poel say it will be hard to ever surpass this. Our (former) editors collectively concluded that a final rating of 9.6 is appropriate.
Transfers 2023/2024: Alpecin-Deceuninck
Selective recruitment might be the best way to describe the overall transfer policy of the Roodhooft brothers. Kristian Sbaragli, Stefano Oldani and Jakub Mareckzo, three experienced Italians, are moving to other teams, while sprint preparers Alexander Krieger and Lionel Taminiaux are also departing after several years. Dries De Bondt, who was successful for Alpecin-Deceuninck, will not be returning in 2024, nor will Robert Stannard, who was put on inactive last season.
As is often the case, the team opts for young riders to replace the above names. No fewer than four riders are officially making the switch from Alpecin-Deceuninck's development team, though Axel Laurance and Timo Kielich could already be considered part of the pro team. Zwift Academy rider Luca Vergallito and German sprinter Henri Uhlig also joined.
Additionally, the team recruited from - the youth teams of - WorldTour teams. Lars Boven, son of former rider Jan, comes from Jumbo-Visma's youth team, while sprint preparer Stan Van Tricht and time trialist Juri Hollmann were snatched from Soudal Quick-Step and Movistar, respectively.
Incoming: Axel Laurance, Luca Vergallito, Timo Kielich, Henri Uhlig (Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team), Lars Boven (Jumbo-Visma Development Team), Stan Van Tricht (Soudal Quick-Step) and Juri Hollmann (Movistar)
Outgoing (provisional list): Kristian Sbaragli, Jakub Mareckzo (Corratec), Alexander Krieger (Tudor), Stefano Oldani (Cofidis), Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto-Dstny), Robert Stannard (non-active) and Dries De Bondt (not yet officially known)
Ones to watches 2024: Alpecin-Deceuninck
Alpecin-Deceuninck is starting 2024 with world champion Mathieu van der Poel and green jersey winner Jasper Philipsen, setting high expectations. Their goals seem largely set, with a strong focus again on the classic spring season and the Tour de France. For Van der Poel, the Olympic Games are also on the agenda.
Additionally, it will be interesting to see how Kaden Groves develops. The slender Australian impressed with a win in the Volta Limburg Classic and bolstered that performance with stage wins in the Giro and Vuelta, potentially becoming the third big contender for Alpecin-Deceuninck's spring campaign.
The Roodhoofts also have an interesting mix of talent in the squad, with junior world champion Axel Laurance perhaps being the most intriguing. There are other fast riders who could definitively break through for the Belgian team in 2024.
(Provisional) selection Alpecin-Deceuninck 2024
- Maurice Ballerstedt
- Tobias Bayer
- Lars Boven
- Nicola Conci
- Silvan Dillier
- Sam Gaze
- Robbe Ghys
- Michael Gogl
- Kaden Groves
- Quinten Hermans
- Juri Hollmann
- Jimmy Janssens
- Timo Kielich
- Soren Kragh Andersen
- Axel Laurance
- Senne Leysen
- Xandro Meurisse
- Jason Osborne
- Jasper Philipsen
- Edward Planckaert
- Jensen Plotwright
- Jonas Rickaert
- Oscar Riesebeek
- Ramon Sinkeldam
- Henri Uhlig
- Fabio Van den Bossche
- Mathieu van der Poel
- Stan Van Tricht
- Luca Vergallito
- Gianni Vermeersch
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- No comment but here's my comment!Veganpotter09-05-2025
- No comment but here's my comment!Veganpotter09-05-2025
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- Such negative comments that are truly inappropriate and actually ridiculous. He sounds like an old man, bitter that he can't race anymore. Why can't he just be gracious? Or just shut up. Instead of howling for attention, in such a rude manner. Must be Dementia creeping in. We are all living in the Now. Records are there, and some are being broken, some are unapproachable. If he doesn't like it, and it makes him sick, maybe he ought start watching some other sport. Don't want the old mans health to be upset.
reemmo031-03-2025 - Roger De Vlaeminck inspires me to create a new beer: "Bitter Old Twat Belgian".JackInhof31-03-2025
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- I am not sure if it is the hardest to win. In Flanders and Roubaix well before the finish the Peleton will be decimated and the race will normally be won by the best rider of the day or maybe 2nd or 3rd in case of a mechanical or unlucky break especially in case of Roubaix. In San Remo just before the finish there will still be several riders in contention and they are hard to ditch. For the best riders it is a race hard to win since it is not so selective. But if you are not a top 5 rider but still a top 10 rider this race is your best change to win. You will see more Milan San remo Winners with only 1 monument win than any other monumentsJoostmehrtens19-03-2025