We are continuing our profile story on Viktor Soenens, the talented 19-year-old rider of the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team who impressed in a number of pro races in the past twelve months.
Having explored his early years in the sport and first two seasons with our feeder squad, we wanted to know Viktor’s thoughts on the impressive GC result he took in Spain last month, where he caught the attention of many finishing tenth overall at the Volta Comunitat Valenciana - the youngest rider to crack the top ten at the Spanish race.
“I knew that I had a good winter, however, when I got word that I was included in the Valenciana line-up, I was a bit nervous, since it was a 2.PRO race with many top riders at the start. However, right from the first stage, I was able to follow the others and I felt really strong. To finish in the top ten on the queen stage and maintain that position in the GC as a development rider was something I never anticipated and it means a lot to me.”
The results in Valencia brought the confirmation I was seeking.
“They also gave me an important confidence-boost. I still don’t fully realise the calibre of the top riders I competed against. It’s also crazy to think that I’m still a development rider, yet I already got the opportunity to race against World Tour riders. I was really happy to get this result and I want to thank the team for their belief and support of me.
What made that result even more special was that I love competing in Spain, as every race there is tough. There’s always a lot of elevation gain, so you hardly get a moment of respite. The climbs really suit me, and I feel at home there.”
This year marks his third in the U23 ranks, but the young Belgian already possesses a clear idea of the type of rider he aspires to be, his strong points at the moment and the things he still wants to improve in the seasons to come.
I see myself as an all-rounder, someone who can perform on multiple types of terrain, which is definitely an advantage when contending for general classifications.
“I also think I’m consistent and that I get stronger as a stage race progresses. There are still aspects where I can improve, particularly in the time trial. Holding an aerodynamic position for a long time is quite difficult, and that’s something I definitely want to focus on. Additionally, I wish to discover whether I can perform well in the high mountains, which are unknown to me. I’ve only won four races in my entire career so far, so I don’t think I’ll be a serial winner, but I am confident I can do well in stage races and hilly Classics like Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. I also want to be a rider the team can rely on, someone who is fully willing to sacrifice himself for the team leader.”
“My next race with the team will be Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, and I’m really looking forward to it after finishing 11th overall last year. But my first big goal of the spring will come in April at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I finished seventh at the previous edition, and this year I hope to have a chance to compete for the win. After that, the focus will shift to the Giro Next Gen, where I want to fight for a stage victory or a strong general classification”, said Viktor of his next races, the first of which comes between 25-29 March, when he’ll join Soudal Quick-Step for the 41st edition of Coppi e Bartali.
In addition to riding for our feeder team, Soenens is currently pursuing his studies at the university, focusing on Supply Chain Management. He’s also a big motorsport fan, closely following Formula 1 and the WEC, while also enjoying racing in the world of Gran Turismo on his PlayStation 5. Having taken up skiing since childhood, he has a profound affection for the mountains, and despite being teased by some of his teammates for living in one of Belgium’s flattest areas, he insists he wouldn’t change this: “To some, it may seem dull, but for me it’s the ideal training environment. When I’m at home and not going on a walk with my dog Marcel, you’ll always find me riding alongside the canal. It’s the best place to train, as I relish the challenge of constantly pushing myself and showing that neither rain nor wind can stop me from following my dreams.”
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
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