Lidl-Trek commits to long-term plan with Vacek, eyeing success in Tour de France and Classics

Vacek, who dropped out of the Tour of Poland last week with a concussion, is obviously pleased with the news. "It’s now my third year in the Team and I’m super happy with how I’m developing. If I look back now at how I started and what level I was back then, and where I am now, I really couldn’t imagine that I would do such a jump like this and could be now on the top level. An important thing was definitely that I had so much trust in the Team and the Team trusted me, so I really had the support and freedom to take the wheel in my hands and do everything possible to reach the level I am now, and even further."

"I’m really happy that the team saw the potential in me and I can now pay back to the team with results," said the Czech, who recently won a stage in the Tour of Wallonia. "Step by step I’m getting to where I want to be and for sure even bigger results will come in the future. Of course, everything has to go well and I need to keep my focus and be patient, but I’m feeling really confident to be here in this team, which is also developing every year and doing everything possible for the riders to be the number one in the world. For this I’m really grateful."

“For the next years I definitely have big ambitions,” admits Vacek, who, after Pedersen (lifetime contract), is set to become a key player for the team in the spring. “It would be nice to race the Tour de France in the future, maybe even next year. I would love to win a stage at the Tour, I know it’s a big task but I am really motivated and looking forward to working hard to reach my best.”

"I’ve already worn the White Jersey in the Vuelta and the Giro, now it would be nice to wear it at the Tour. I’m confident that the next years will be really good. The classics are some of my favorite races to do and there I want to also be really good. I know I have the power in myself and now I have to still gain experience and learn how to be a big leader and put myself in the big player game. I know that I’m close and know that if I work well and stay focused it will come."

“Mathias has all the makings of a big champion,” adds Luca Guercilena, general manager of Lidl-Trek. "His work ethic, the way he learns from those around him, and also how he treats his teammates and staff speaks volumes about his character. I believe that these qualities, combined with his physical ability, will take him very far. His performances over the last two years especially show that he is on the verge of some big wins. We’re excited to discover his full potential as we continue to work together over the next four years."