De Lie ambitious, but Widar realistic ahead of Algarve: “Have you seen the start list?”

De Lie is looking forward to the Algarve. “In Almería, I was a bit left wanting more, but above all, I remember how good the feeling was. And that is often not the case in my first race. I knew my legs were good.” What’s the main goal? Confidence — first and foremost.

What’s the main goal? Confidence — first and foremost. De Lie also makes it clear the team isn’t coming to Portugal for just one card. “The team starts with ambition, because there are also chances for Jarno. If I can do something for him in stages two and five, I’ll gladly do that.”

For De Lie, there’s another important objective: getting the sprint set-up fully dialled in. He has the horsepower around him, but he also wants room to do things his way in the final metres. “We’re here with Joshua Giddings, Cédric Beullens, Huub Artz, Liam Slock, Luca Van Boven… all strong riders who are part of my lead-out train. But my way of sprinting may require a bit more freedom in the final metres. Of my 32 victories, there may be only one where I was truly led out. It’s up to us to keep developing that here.”

Widar kicked off his year strongly with fourth at the Figueira Champions Classic and stayed in Portugal to roll straight into the Volta ao Algarve. For the 20-year-old, it’s a straight jump into deep waters: in his first real WorldTour season, he’ll be measuring himself against some of the best stage racers in the sport.

The hilly terrain should suit him, especially the uphill finishes — but Widar isn’t pretending it will be easy. “I have reconned those finishes, they suit me. But have you seen the start list as well?” he laughs. “Still, I’m really looking forward to measuring myself against those top riders — Almeida, Ayuso, etc. It’s a unique opportunity, so early in the season.”

Widar also knows exactly what was missing in Figueira: that sharp, explosive effort when the road kicks up hard. “I lacked the punch needed to follow Morgado comfortably. Those one- to two-minute efforts, where you have to get out of the saddle, will be a point to work on. That’s where I can still improve. Fourth place is obviously not a bad start. It may be that I get better this season and still come home with worse results, so to speak. I’m still lacking a bit and I know where the areas for improvement are. Step by step getting better, that’s what it’s all about.”