The last two years have not been easy at all for Dylan van Baarle. The winner of the 2023 Dutch road championship (his last victory to date) spent significant parts of both 2024 and 2025 recovering from accidents that, in series, limited his potential and prevented the Team Visma Lease a Bike from leveraging his qualities in one-day races.

The last two years, characterized by two collarbone fractures and one hip fracture, have been quite poor in results (just two top 10 finishes), but van Baarle, who will turn 34 next May 21st, has not been discouraged at all. With the idea of trying to relaunch himself and prove that he can still have a say in high-level cycling, he signed a two-year contract with Soudal Quick-Step, a team that, having lost Evenepoel and refocused its main attention on the classics, did not hesitate to invest in him and make him one of the many potential arrows to shoot next spring.

Meanwhile, van Baarle, while waiting for the races he cares most about, has been able to experience the Wolfpack environment and soak up positive vibes.

"The two training camps went really well. It was nice to get to know everyone, from the staff to the riders. It’s a great group of riders and this gave me a good feeling" said the Voorburg native through the team's official website, who was immediately called, after his debut in Portugal, to raise the Soudal name in appointments very much suited to him.

"I can’t wait for my first race, Algarve, because it makes me excited to finally start in these colours. I’m also looking forward to the Opening Weekend, which will be special in a Belgian team. We have a strong line-up and we can be protagonists there. Of course, it’s always easier said than done, but we are confident, because we have many riders who have shown they can fight for a good result on the cobbles."

Van Baarle, having won the Omloop Nieuwsblad in 2023, knows how to win in races that traditionally open the classics season, and his experience, combined with his eye and power, could make a difference both for himself and his teammates.

A similar discourse certainly applies to the Paris-Roubaix in April (another race he won three years ago), on which, like the Tour of Flanders, the former INEOS and Visma rider has placed two large red circles.

"Flanders and Roubaix will be my main goals. I hope to get back to my best level for these two Monuments. I love them, they hold a special place in my heart and I would love to be in the mix for a good result or contribute to the team’s success," declared the 2021 road World Championship silver medalist who, after the spring commitments, will shed the hunter's role to wear that of a luxury helper.

"I look forward also to being there for the squad whenever they need me in the stage races, because we have many riders that can shine in this type of races, regardless of the terrain" concluded a van Baarle who hopes, and his team with him, that 2026 can be a year finally rich with satisfaction.