The name of Peter Van Petegem still echoes today, almost 20 years after his retirement, and does not leave anyone indifferent in the world of professional cycling. Born in 1970, the Belgian from Brakel was indeed a true master of the Northern classics, winning, between the '90s and the early 2000s, almost everything that a Flemish rider like him could have ever desired, including two Ronde van Vlaanderen, one Paris-Roubaix, three Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, one Scheldeprijs and one Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne.

Decidedly less rich and impressive is, at least so far, the palmares of his son Axandre who, forced this year to drop down to the Continental level to continue racing after the closure of Wagner Bazin, at 24 years old is still searching for his first opportunity to raise his arms to the sky.

It is this, alongside rediscovering the spark that in previous years had allowed him first to attract the interest of the development teams of Visma Lease a Bike and Lidl-Trek and then to break into the professional ranks, that most interests the eldest son of the great Peter who, driven by a strong desire to find a place in high-level cycling, we intercepted at the recent Tour of Turkey to tell us more about the moment he is experiencing.

Axandre, what kind of year has it been for you so far?

"The first part of the season hasn't been easy for me because I got sick. Now I'm trying to get back into shape and we'll see what I can manage. The season is definitely long and in a little while in Belgium there will be several one-day races that suit me very well like GP Criquielion and Antwerp Port in which I want to be at 100% and try to make a name for myself".

You raced for very important development teams like those of Visma and Lidl-Trek and then tried to find your way in professional cycling through Wagner Bazin. Is your first objective to return to that level?

"Exactly. I had a two-year contract with Wagner, but the team closed: fortunately Peter Bauwens came along and offered me the opportunity to race with Tartelletto-Isorex, which is the most important Continental team in Belgium. We basically race all the same events we did in Bazin, so my objective is to try to move up in level and see where I can end up".

Have you already discovered all your limits or do you think you haven't found them all yet?

"From every stage race I've competed in, I've always come out more tired, so I'm sure there's no limit to fatigue. I think I've understood that climbs of 5 minutes are my thing, while if they're longer I've seen that it becomes difficult to handle certain efforts. Maybe when I get stronger I'll be able to enjoy them more. We'll see".

If you had to tell me which race you'd like to win, which would you choose?

"Right now, I'd be happy to win any race, it doesn't matter which one. I came close to winning the last stage of the Tour of Mersin after a 40 km breakaway. Currently, any race would be fine, but if I really had to choose one race, I'd definitely say a one-day race in Belgium. The Tour of Flanders? Right now I'd be happy with even a smaller race, although there aren't any minor ones anymore: every race, these days, is at a high level and if you manage to win, it means you're definitely a good rider".

We know that in the past you raced briefly with Alexander Salby who is now with a Chinese team and is doing really well. Could going to China be an option for you as well?

"I don't know, I've never thought about it. My heart beats more for cycling in Belgium or France, where I live, but it's also true that if you're a sprinter, racing in China represents a good opportunity. Besides Salby, my former teammate Pierre Barbier has also found a team in Asia (at Terengganu Cycling Team, ed.) and has already won two or three races... In the end, yes, I think going to race in China is a good possibility for people like them, also because these days, with all the teams closing (see what happened in Belgium last year where 90 riders were left without a contract) every year it becomes more difficult to find a position. Who knows, maybe one day I could also consider such an option".

So the objective for the rest of the season is simply to be the best version of yourself.

"Yes. Now I want to 100% get back the sparkle I had in the past because I know that in those conditions I can race really well".

What's it like to carry such an important name?

"I find it beautiful. Now that I'm a professional I realize that winning a race is really difficult and he won them all or, at least, many of them, so I only feel great respect for him".

What advice have you received from your father, in general, for the rest of your career?

"Do my best. He can't race with my legs, it's me who has to do it. He can wish me good luck and give me some advice, that yes, but in the end it's me who has to get on my bike and get results".