Domestique sees his own development "accelerate" after Evenepoel’s departure: "Not bad, I’d say"

That doesn’t mean Van Wilder won’t miss his team leader. “We raced a lot together and accomplished a lot,” he told HLN. “We shared some fantastic moments, where I played a prominent support role. I enjoyed doing that and look back on it positively. The 2022 Vuelta remains the absolute highlight for me. We lost a few key riders along the way and went to Madrid with a reduced team. And while everyone thought we’d never be able to control the race, we managed it anyway, and helped Remco secure the overall victory.”

Often, Van Wilder was Evenepoel’s most important mountain support. But now their paths will diverge after four years as teammates. “Honestly, I’m not losing sleep over it,” Van Wilder says calmly. “Of course it’s a shame that Remco is leaving, we’re losing one of our major leaders. But it’s a decision he is making for his career, and that’s entirely his right. Who are we to judge that? It won’t define my life or my career. I’ll just keep doing my thing.”

While Evenepoel will take several key staff members with him to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, among them sports director Klaas Lodewyck, Van Wilder has chosen a different path. He recently extended his contract with Soudal Quick-Step through 2028. “I’m happy in this team. Here, I can continue developing without the stress of contract talks,” Van Wilder said. “That development might even accelerate now that Remco is leaving. Not bad, I’d say, at this stage of my career. Maybe stepping out of that comfort zone is just what I need. Maybe it’s time for something new.”

Although he already had some chances to ride for himself, Van Wilder is set to become one of the team's key climbers. “So far, I’ve combined working for Remco with occasionally getting a shot at my own result. In about 90% of those cases, I came away with a strong result, top five, top ten, often in WorldTour-level stage races, just below the level of the 'Big Three'. But starting in 2026, that’s going to change.”

Alongside Mikel Landa and Valentin Paret-Peintre, Van Wilder will now have space to pursue his own ambitions. “From then on, I’ll be able to ride for myself almost all year long. And I might be able to make better use of my form in the races where I’m going for results. The goal is to keep growing in that role. If that works out, I might even be able to carry that ambition into a grand tour.”