PALMA DE MAIORCA (Spain) – We remain in the world Red Bull-BORAbut this time we are not talking about climbers, domestiques or leaders called to win Grand Tours and classics. We’re talking about sprinters, specifically Jordi Meeus.
«Do you have to talk to Jordi?», he asks us with a hint of amazement Giulio Pellizzari. To our affirmative response, the man from the Marche continues: «Ah, Jordi is number one. He’s very nice. We bonded a lot and he asks me to teach him a few words of Italian.”
Meeus therefore. Belgian sprinter, born in 1998, over six feet tall, shaved head and a smile as big as his height. At Red Bull it is clear that the sprinters are not experiencing a particularly favorable historical moment. With all those champions from stage races, finding space and above all dedicated trains is not easy (opening Instagram photo – @friesooo).
Jordi vs Danny
Plus there’s the other fast wheel, Danny Van Poppelthe reigning Dutch national champion, who certainly did not contribute to calming things down and making life easier for Meeus.
“I will no longer accept being the last man except for a top-level sprinter,” he declared to CyclingFlitsthe Dutch.
Not exactly an outstretched hand, especially as we look towards a new season. However, Meeus himself took it upon himself to tone things down: «I don’t take it personally – said the giant from Lommel, East Flanders – I don’t think I’m lying when I say that the chances of victory are greater when Philipsen or Kooij leave the last man’s wheel than when I do. I think there is room for two sprinters in the team. Sometimes there is also triple activity. There will be many races and we will have the opportunity to divide the spaces. I’m not the fastest of the group. I’m someone who starts long, who comes back from behind: that’s how I won most of my sprints.”
And so Red Bull-BORA has planned two different calendars for its sprinters. And he inserted two last men: for Meeus he arrived Arne Marit from the Intermarché-Wantywhile for Van Poppel here is the Spanish Haimar Etxeberria.
But this controversy is useful both to understand what the mood is like in the team and to get to know Meeus better. And already from the words of Meeus’ reply one can understand that Pellizzari had described him well. Lean on a high table, let’s start chatting with the king of the latest Binche–Chimay–Binche.
I programi di Meeus
It starts right from the calendar. «I don’t have an official agenda yet – Meeus tells us – but I should start in Portugal with Return to the Algarve. Then I’ll do the opening weekend in Belgium, then Le Samyn. A seguire Nokere Koerse, Across Flanders, Scheldeprijs and due classicissime monumento come Gand-Wevelgem e Parigi-Roubaix. I don’t know yet about the Grand Tours. For now I’m on the long list Tour de Francethen we’ll see.”
According to information collected in Palma, al Tour of Italy Red Bull should focus on Van Poppel, so depending on the choices, Meeus could find space in the Tour or in the Vuelta. However, the Tour should not be discarded a priori, even if there are already two leaders such as Lipowitz and Evenepoel, because a rider with the characteristics of Jordi also knows how to be an excellent team player. A beast for the plains or if you have to do shoulder work.
A sprinter among climbers
As we were saying, it’s not easy for a sprinter to stand out in a battleship like Red Bull-BORA. If in certain races a runner like him struggles to find space Alexander Vlasovlet alone a fast wheel. Meeus certainly doesn’t leave with the status of a Merlier or a Jonathan Milan.
«It’s exactly like this – explains Meeus – I think our team is increasingly moving towards the general classifications and the Grand Toursespecially now that in addition to climbers it has also been added Remco Evenepoel.
«We have many strong companions for the stage races. But I’m the kind of sprinter who doesn’t need a whole train. I think this is a point in my favor. Merlier or Milan need more men due to the way they are made, but I think that if the perfect day comes along I can win against them too. It’s not easy, but it can happen.”
Training with climbers, however, also brings benefits. The yield improves when the difference in altitude increases and creates strong and unexpected bonds, like the one with Pellizzari, in fact. «Giulio – says Meeus with a smile on his face – is too nice. We bonded a lot in the retreats at altitude. We even tried to train together, but as soon as the climb started he would go away! It’s always nice to be with him: he’s joyful, he laughs, he brings joy. In retreat all this really makes the difference. We spent many hours playing PlayStation, FIFA. And then he teaches me Italian. He yelled at me when I said “gnocchi” to say “gonocci”!».
Meeus and the classics
However, Meeus is not just a sprinter. Raised on bread and pavé, Flemish in physique and DNA, he knows how to navigate multiple terrains well. You don’t come eighth in Roubaix by chance.
«I think I can do both sprints and classics – he concludes – I’m not the fastest of all, but I know I have a good engine. That’s why I focus on some fast classics and sprints. The race of my dreams? Roubaix.”
For those who grew up with the myth of Tom Boonen it couldn’t be otherwise. «With people like Mathieu Van der Poel and now Tadej Pogacar it’s very difficult, but I’ve already entered the top 10. It’s a race where anything can happen, at any time. And you must be ready to seize any opportunities. You also need luck. My goal is to get on the podium one day. And maybe try to win.”
