There are young cyclists who arrive in the professional world already with a clear label: climber, classics specialist, stage racer. Niels Driesen is still discovering his.

The twenty-one-year-old Belgian will do so with Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team until the end of 2029, following a breakthrough season that has revealed how much potential he can still express.

Just yesterday, Driesen finished second in the overall classification of the Tour de l'Avenir, also claiming second place in the demanding final stage Ceresole Reale-Lago Serrù. During the week he won the opening stage and wore the yellow jersey and remained among the strongest in the decisive mountain stages.

This success follows his victory at the Ronde de l'Isard earlier in the season, where Driesen discovered that both his climbing speed and his finishing kick were superior to what he believed.

"I feel I can still improve a lot," Driesen stated. "Last winter I started training much more intensely than in previous years and immediately noticed an improvement in my level. I believe I still have a lot of room for improvement. At my age, I think that's a positive aspect. I just want to grow as much as possible and see where it takes me."

As a young rider, Driesen practiced both BMX and road cycling, before progressing through the youth ranks of Acrog-Balen BC in Belgium. As a junior, he finished fourth in the Tour of Flanders and fifth in Paris-Roubaix.

His 2026 results indicate a rider capable of competing in both demanding one-day races and stage races, although Driesen still has a particular preference for the former.

"I really enjoy one-day races because they allow you to give your all," he explained. "But I hope to continue improving in both disciplines. This year too I've surprised myself with what I've managed to do in stage races."

Douglas Ryder, Team Principal of Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, stated: "What excites us about Niels is not only what he has already achieved, but also how much we believe he can still improve. His second place at the Tour de l'Avenir and his victory at the Ronde de l'Isard demonstrate his abilities, but we don't want to label him too early. Our job is to provide him with the environment, expertise and equipment needed to discover just how far his talent can take him. This aligns perfectly with our Race Sharp philosophy: prepare with precision, continue to learn and be ready to race when the opportunity presents itself."

For Driesen, the team's environment and performance approach were fundamental to his decision. "From the first conversations with Douglas, Kurt and the Team, I felt they really wanted me here," he said. "This gave me the confidence that I have the right support to grow. The entire project won me over. The bikes, the clothing, the nutrition and the opportunity to work closely with the companies that produce these items are really interesting. At this level, every detail becomes important."

Driesen will work closely with the Team's performance ecosystem specialists, including Pinarello, Q36.5 and Amacx, alongside the technical staff. His first objective as a professional is simple: learn, contribute to the Team and be ready when opportunities arise.

"I want to race with experienced riders, learn from them, improve and help the Team as much as possible," Driesen stated. "And when opportunities come for me, I want to seize them."