18-year-old Belgian cyclocross prodigy potential successor to van der Poel: 'Lacking a bit of character or resilience'

Lejeune has been racing in the junior ranks for the past two years. Last year, he was one of the very best cyclocross riders in his age group, with no fewer than eleven victories. At the World Championships in Hulst, however, he had to concede defeat to the somewhat surprising Delano Heeren. But while that Dutch rider is still racing in the junior ranks, Lejeune has made the leap to the elite division.

He’s expected to compete more often with the U23s, but anyone who sees his results might find that a bit disappointing. Because among the big boys, the prodigy shows his best side. In his first televised cyclocross races, he first finished a respectable eighth in Meulebeke, after which he boldly contended for the top spots in Heerde. In the end, he finished fifth, not far from the podium.

Wellens is impressed by Lejeune. “That kid is only 18 years old, a first-year prospect, and he’s already managing to contend for the win among the pros,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “Only the very best are capable of that.” At Heerderstrand, he even took the lead by passing Joris Nieuwenhuis. “In the end, he finished fifth. But he also won a pro race in Brumath, France, earlier this month.”

This is a remarkable development for Lejeune, who—especially at crucial moments—usually fell short at the junior level, such as at the European or World Championships. “Lejeune had already been very good in the youth categories in recent years, but back then he often fell just short. To be honest, I thought he might be lacking a bit of character or resilience. But apparently, I was wrong.”

Lejeune’s arrival is a breath of fresh air in the cyclocross world, where the biggest names are often absent for long periods due to their road racing commitments. “He’s a true cyclocross rider. Or at least that’s how I’d describe him right now. I hope he can keep this up, because he may well have the potential to eventually become one of the figures that cyclocross so desperately needs.”