Powerhouses like Visma and Red Bull shape the European Championships, but Evenepoel’s role with Belgium highlights value of national teams

Anyone watching the European Time Trial Championships on Wednesday didn't need to check the numbers on the backs of the girls, boys, women, and men to see when they crossed the line. The yellow helmet of Visma | Lease a Bike, the Specialized bikes of Soudal-Quick Step and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, the Uno-X support riders for Norway, and so on...

And how often have we seen teammates from commercial teams riding together in national races? Think of Tadej Pogacar's world titles in 2024 and 2025, where he was assisted by UAE Emirates-XRG teammates Pavel Sivakov and Isaac Del Toro. After the various European Championship races, it was also noticeable that teammates from the same team were more likely to embrace each other than teammates from the same country.

In time trials, the contribution of a commercial team is even more intense than in road races. Jonathan Vervenne and Matisse Van Kerckhove finished first and second in the European time trial championships for U23 riders, one on Soudal-Quick Step equipment and the other on Visma | Lease a Bike equipment. Michiel Mouris became the World and European time trial champion thanks to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.

"In time trials, the equipment is crucial; every detail counts. The team prepares everything, from socks to handlebars. We get everything we need to do a good time trial, with all the little details. We are well prepared, even as U23 riders," Van Kerckhove told IDLProCycling.com when asked. The 19-year-old Belgian has been riding for Visma's development team since 2025.

European Championship winner Vervenne shared similar sentiments: “In the U23 category, it's becoming more professional every year. In terms of equipment, we are almost on par with the elite categories, with the best equipment from our teams. The national federation also plays a crucial role in this; their support is very valuable. We have everything we need.”

However, European and World Championships are not all about the teams. Bringing riders together under the flag of one country also leads to crucial cross-pollination. At the European Championships, Vervenne and Van Kerckhove had to contend with Remco Evenepoel, the big man of the elite men. “Remco's presence is a great motivation for me and probably the whole team,” Vervenne agreed.

“We see him a lot at the hotel, during training sessions, and sometimes he gives us tips and tricks. Being around such a great champion is a bit crazy and very special,” he added. Van Kerckhove: "Remco is the man to watch, so spending a whole week with him in the same hotel is very special. It gives you more motivation to score in your own races, partly because of his tips.“

Belgian national coach Serge Pauwels approves. ”Over the years, there has been much more interaction across all categories and genders in the Belgian group. In the past, it was more separate, and the pros sat at a separate table, really on an island. Now you see them really talking to each other. Those elite riders are, after all, the magnets for the young riders; they look up to them. That's what attracts them to the race."

Bram van der Ploeg ( Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email : [email protected])