Season 2026 Part 1

Short Recap about the First Part of the 2026 Season

This year started a bit differently for me. As I started the year as a privateer, I had to search for new partners during the winter. I found a lot of good partners for the season and am really proud of the team around me. This makes me believe I can take another step in the right direction!

The first main goal of this season was the Absa Cape Epic. Together with Frans Claes, we had the goal to do better than last year and try to make it into the top 10 of the GC after 8 hard days on the South African trails.

Step 1: Building a Solid Baseline

My first training camp was already in December. Together with a good friend, I went to Calpe (Spain) for some easy base miles. In December, the pressure is a little bit lower and we still had some time to enjoy good food, coffee, and easy rides together.

Coming home from the training camp, winter really arrived in Belgium. Snowy conditions made it harder to train on the road, but luckily the trails were still in good condition. While the sun was out, I enjoyed winter time on the mountain bike—not a bad preparation for the Cape later in March.

Step 2: Baseline & First Intensity

For the second training camp of the year, I went back to Albir (Spain), a small village close to Calpe. Frans was also staying in this region, so it was nice to train together while working toward the same goal.

This time, it wasn’t only about base training but also the first real intervals—always a pain. The weather was a bit off for that time of year, but we got the work done and the shape was heading in the right direction.

Back home, it was time to start my altitude training camp. A few years ago, I decided to buy an altitude tent, as I had experienced strong benefits from it in the past.

Step 3: No Time to Lose

After only 10 days in Belgium, it was time to go to Girona (Spain) for the final training block and some racing. Santa Vallis the first gravel race of the season, a two-day stage race with some of the best gravel riders in the world.

Despite the importance of this race, I chose to keep focusing on training toward the Cape Epic. Sleeping at altitude and training hard meant the race would be difficult, but it was still a very good training stimulus.

Stage 1: More Mud?

After a decent start, I moved up from around P40 to the top 10 of the race. After a motorbike took a wrong turn in front of the peloton, I ended up at the back of the first big group while others came back with little effort.

Trying to move back to the front, I was a bit too enthusiastic and pushed too hard before a big climb. I had to let the second group go, but together with fellow Belgian Aaron, we rode a really strong downhill and made it back.

From there, it was about surviving to the finish and hoping for a better second day. I finished 38th—not very happy, but considering the circumstances, it wasn’t a bad day.

Stage 2: Hang On Tight

The day started with a steep 10-minute climb followed by a technical descent. About 10 riders were too strong on the first climb, but I managed to stay in the second big group.

After the descent, everything came back together on the flat. The pace was very high, with Matt Beers pulling hard to protect his teammate’s leader jersey. On every climb, riders were dropping, and the pace stayed relentless.

In the end, I was on the limit as well, but I managed to stay in the group. Going into the sprint with around 20 riders, I took some risks in the final corners and finished 12th.

I ended up 21st in the GC and was very happy with the feeling over these two days, considering all the training and altitude work I had done.

Stage 3

The day after, my coach surprised me with another 5-hour endurance ride… yes, Cape Epic prep :)

Step 4: First Bummer

While preparing for the last race in Castellón (Spain), I got sick overnight. A stomach flu made it impossible to start the race. Luckily, I recovered quickly and was able to complete my final training sessions in Spain as planned.

Back home, it was time for the final push toward the Cape Epic. The last interval sessions went really well—I felt better than ever and ready to deliver my best performance.

Cape Epic

The Absa Cape Epic is the hardest mountain bike race in the world. Both Frans and I were ready to deliver a strong performance. The final week before the start was all about recovery and dialing in the trails.

Prologue: 20km / 650m

We planned to start controlled and build into the race, with seven more days ahead—unless the legs felt great. They did, so we went all in.

Due to the heat, it was a very intense time trial. Frans went a bit over his limit and suffered on the final climb, but we still finished 13th—very happy and excited for the days ahead.

Stage 1: 90km / 2150m

After a good night’s sleep, we were ready for a very rough stage. I felt strong on the climbs but struggled technically on the descents.

After the stage, we discovered my tire pressure was far too high. Because I overslept slightly, there wasn’t enough time to adjust it properly before the start—a stupid mistake, and also my responsibility.

We finished 18th, but there were still six days to go.

Stage 2: 102km / 2250m

Another tough stage around Montagu—with correct tire pressure this time ;)

After 7km, we entered a long singletrack where positioning was crucial. Frans struggled at the start and lost positions, which was frustrating as my legs felt great.

Despite the setback, we regained positions on the climbs and finished 14th after a strong effort.

Stage 3: 140km / 1750m

A brutal day—the longest stage of the race, with bad weather. Rain and rough roads made it feel like a spring classic.

Midway through, I didn’t have my best legs. When the leaders had a flat tire, the race exploded. Fortunately, Frans had a strong day and helped pull me to the finish with limited time loss.

We finished 17th, with everything still open in the GC.

Stage 4: 87km / 1750m

A nervous start ended in a crash after 7km. I had to fix my shoe before continuing. Frans didn’t notice immediately, which cost us some time.

We fought back from the rear, catching a large group before a key climb, but couldn’t move up in time. We still finished 16th, limiting the damage.

Later, we received a one-hour penalty for being too far apart, which was eventually cancelled the next morning—but it caused a lot of stress and frustration.

Stage 5: 134km / 2750m

The queen stage. Frans wasn’t feeling great due to stomach issues, but we stayed determined.

A mandatory 2km walking section was especially difficult for me due to my drop foot, costing valuable time and serving as a tough reminder of my limitation.

We finished 19th but moved up to 12th in the GC.

Stage 6: 76km / 2450m

We finally reached Stellenbosch, a place Frans knows well. Unfortunately, he was still not feeling better and struggled throughout the stage.

The climbs were relentless, and pacing was difficult. I supported him where possible, and we finished 20th.

Stage 7: 58km / 2150m

Final stage. Sitting 12th in GC, just outside the top 10.

We started strong and rode with the GC leaders on the first climb—a great experience and a glimpse of what’s possible. Later, Frans went over his limit and we dropped back.

Not long after, I crashed heavily, breaking my saddle—but luckily no injuries. We kept pushing, catching teams in the final kilometers.

On the last climb, I attacked, but we just missed overtaking for a top-10 stage result. We finished 11th on the day and gained one more position in GC.

Conclusion

We didn’t fully achieve our objective, but considering the circumstances, it was still a very strong Cape Epic.

Time to recover and build toward The Traka.