Lidl-Trek is pleased to announce that 23-year-old Czech champion Mathias Vacek has renewed his contract with the team until the end of 2029. Since joining Lidl-Trek in 2023, Vacek has shown impressive growth and versatility.

His breakthrough season came in 2024, when he played a key role in the Classics supporting Mads Pedersen and Jasper Stuyven, before delivering an extraordinary mountain performance at the Tour de Hongrie in support of overall winner Thibau Nys. Later that year, Vacek made an impressive Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España, finishing second in the opening time trial - just two seconds from victory - and wearing the best young cyclist jersey for three days. The momentum continued in 2025. In his second Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia, he again wore the white jersey and proved to be a versatile breakaway rider, helping Pedersen secure multiple stage wins. After winning both the Czech national road race and time trial titles in June, Vacek achieved his first victory for Lidl-Trek outside the national championships at the Tour de Wallonie, where he also finished second overall.

"It's my third year in the team and I'm very happy with how I'm growing," said Mathias Vacek. "If I think about how I started and what level I was at then, and where I am now, I couldn't have really imagined making such progress and now being at the highest level. An important thing was the team's trust that supported me and gave me the opportunity to reach my current level and go even beyond."

He added: "I'm really happy that the team saw potential in me and now I can repay the team with results. Step by step, I'm getting to where I want to be and certainly bigger results will come in the future. Of course, everything must go well, I must maintain concentration and be patient. I'm confident being in this team, which is developing every year and doing everything possible so its athletes can be number one in the world. For this, I'm truly grateful."

Regarding the future, Vacek said: "For the coming years, I certainly have big ambitions. Of course, it would be nice to race the Tour de France in the future, maybe even next year. I would like to win a stage at the Tour, I know it's a big task but I'm really motivated and can't wait to work hard to reach my best. I've already worn the White Jersey at the Vuelta and Giro, now it would be nice to wear it at the Tour. I'm confident the next years will be really good. The classics are some of my favorite races to do, and there too I want to be really good. I know I have potential and now I still need to gain experience and learn to be a great leader and compete with the greats. If I work well and stay focused, I'll succeed."

Luca Guercilena, General Manager of Lidl Trek, commented: "Mathias has all the credentials to be a great champion. His work ethic, the way he learns from those around him, and how he treats his teammates and staff speak volumes about his character. I believe these qualities, combined with his physical abilities, will take him very far. His performances in the last two years, in particular, show that he can aim for great victories. We are excited to discover his full potential by continuing to work together in the next four years."