“He will be the successor to Mads Pedersen”: with these 4 young assets, Lidl-Trek can surprise in classics
With Mads Pedersen, Lidl-Trek wants to finally place another monument in its trophy case in 2026. But the German formation has even more irons in the fire for the Flemish classics. From a phenomenal speed rider to a Danish gold nugget: sports director Steven de Jongh outlines their ambitions one by one.
“It has been Jasper Stuyven in Milan-San Remo 2021 since we stood on the highest scaffold of a monument. That is almost 5 years ago.”
Steven de Jongh makes no secret of it: winning a monument is at the top of Lidl-Trek’s wish list in 2026.
“We naturally realize that we have to compete against very strong competitors such as Van der Poel, Pogacar and Evenepoel.”
“But with the team we are now preparing for the classics, we should certainly be able to achieve that goal.”
In the climbing classics, Lidl-Trek is counting on the trio Skjelmose, Ayuso and Nys. In the cobblestone classics, Mads Pedersen is the super leader, although they still have some interesting assets for that job.
Mathias Vacek (Tsj): Pedersen’s lieutenant
In the opening weekend, Mathias Vacek (23) already made an appearance on the Flemish hills last season. Although this did not yield any tangible results for him.
What are the plans for the strong Czech in 2026?
“Vacek will form Siamese twins with Mads Pedersen,” says De Jongh. “They will run a similar program, with the difference that Vacek will also add the Omloop.”
“Vacek can learn a lot from Mads. He will develop nicely in the coming years. When Pedersen stops, Vacek will certainly be ready to take over his role.”
Mathias Vacek has everything it takes to shine on the Flemish slopes.
Pedersen rubs his hands with a lieutenant like Vacek. “Mathias has said that he is willing to sacrifice his own chances to go out with me.”
“But if everyone looks at me, Mathias can seize his chance. Mathias has great chances of winning races, even though on paper he is a helper of mine.”
Jacob Sudqvist (Swe): the phenomenal hard driver
1m87 in 83 kg.
Jakob Söderqvist (22) has the perfect body to stomp over the cobblestones.
The sturdy Swede proved this last year in the promising version of Paris-Roubaix, when he rode to the Vélodrome together with teammate Albert Philipsen and gave his buddy the victory.
“Söderqvist will always be in the classic core this season,” sports director De Jongh assures.
“Last year, Söderqvist already impressed us at certain moments. For example, he was very strong in the team time trial of the Tour of Valencia. And of course there was also his world time trial title among the promises.”
But the team does not want to push the promising Swede too much into a box. “He shows very good things uphill, is a phenomenon in time trial and he has already done very good leadouts.”
It could just be that Söderqvist drives away somewhere and that he stays away.
Edward Theuns
Teammate Edward Theuns had to blink several times when he saw Söderqvist at work.
“Jakob may still lack some experience in the classics, but he is really super strong. If he is not too expensive, he could also be interesting in the Sporza Cycling Manager.”
Theuns’ crystal ball bodes well. “It could just be that Söderqvist drives away somewhere and he stays away.”
Jakob Söderqvist dreams of becoming a top rider in the classics.
Tim Torn Teutenberg (German): the young sprint force
He finished in the top 10 28 times last year. A report that you can take home with as a neo-pro.
Tim Torn Teutenberg won Paris-Roubaix for promises 2 seasons ago. In addition to cobblestones, the 23-year-old German also has a particularly strong finishing shot as an additional weapon.
“Tim is still very young,” De Jongh emphasizes. “Last year he collected a lot of places of honor. He also often came close to victory.”
Teutenberg is played out again in sprint classics such as Nokere Koerse and the Bredene Koksijde Classic. “We hope that he can now go for victory in those races.”
In races where I can achieve results, it might be better to finish Teutenberg.
Edward Theuns
Edward Theuns is already prepared to sacrifice his chances for the young German.
“Teutenberg is part of a young generation of sprinters. In races where I could get a chance, it might be better to outplay Tim.”
“Tim can then try to achieve results with the necessary support. That is the ideal way for him to grow.”
Tim Torn Teutenberg wants to take a shot at victories in the sprint classics.
Albert Withen Philipsen (Den): the very young nugget
Being on stage as a 19-year-old with Pogacar and Alaphilippe. Albert Philipsen achieved this in the Tre Valli Varesine in early October.
The Danish nugget also shone on the 3rd podium step in Paris-Tours 5 days later.
In 2026, Philipsen wants to explore new horizons. “Albert has indicated that he really wants to discover the Flemish classics this year,” De Jongh reveals.
“He is of course still very young, but I hope that he will soon put his nose to the window in those cobblestone classics.”
Philipsen will be there during the opening weekend. “The Omloop or Kuurne? We still have to look at that. It depends a bit on who will be the leader in those races.”
Albert Withen Philipsen is still just a teenager.
They are not yet putting pressure on the shoulders of the 19-year-old Dane.
“Philipsen will mainly discover the classics in the shadow of Pedersen, Milan and Vacek. This will primarily be in a supporting role.”
The Danish omnitalent also dreams of going to the LA 2028 Games as a mountain biker. “That is why we continue to make room for that discipline.”
“Next season Albert will first ride a block on the road. Then he will go mountain biking and later return to the road team.”
And what about Milan?
Lidl-Trek therefore has more than just Pedersen to play with in the Flemish classics.
And we haven’t even talked about the green jersey winner of the last Tour: Jonathan Milan.
The chunky sprint car will first focus on bunch sprints in “preparation races”.
He then pins his jersey number on in just 3 classics: Milan-San Remo, In Flanders Fields (the new name of Gent-Wevelgem) and Paris-Roubaix.
“The 3 classics that suit him best. Johnny mainly dreams of winning Paris-Roubaix. But then he first has to learn to drive over cobblestones,” says De Jongh.
“Mads (Pedersen) also had his sights set on Paris-Roubaix in the early years of his career. But he never achieved a result, because he kept destroying his equipment. In recent years, Mads has always come close.”
“The more Johnny rides Paris-Roubaix, the better he will ride on the cobblestones.”
