Lidl-Trek rider Mathias Vacek has set his sights on the youth classification jersey and a stage win in his debut Tour de France in 2026.
The 24-year-old Czech cyclist targets Stage 2, which finishes in Barcelona with the 1.6-kilometer ascent of Castell de Montjuïc.
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Vacek enters the Tour following a third-place overall finish at the Tour de Suisse, showcasing strong climbing form.
He will support team leaders Juan Ayuso and Mads Pedersen in their respective campaigns for the general classification and points jersey.
“The main goal of our team is the podium with Juan,” Vacek told In de Leiderstrui.
“Personally, given this year’s competition, a top five would be a great success, but the team has the highest ambitions.”
“With Mads we fight for green, but he is not the fastest in mass sprints.
We have to do it à la Peter Sagan, by making escapes, intermediate sprints and stages hard.”
Vacek’s individual opportunities will come during transition stages in Spain.
“I feel very good and am probably in the best shape of my life,” he said.
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“Realistically, I would like to go for the white jersey at the start of the Tour, but I also dream of a stage win.”
He specifically identified Stage 2 from Tarragona to Barcelona as his primary target.
“I already wore the white in the Giro and the Vuelta, but I still miss it in the Tour.
My first day to go for a stage win is already in stage 2. This is really a stage for me,” Vacek added.
His preparation included altitude training in Sierra Nevada, sleeping in a height tent, and careful nutrition to lose weight for better climbing performance.
“I accepted that doing less sometimes yields more. I trained in Sierra Nevada, slept in a height tent and paid close attention to my diet.
I lost some kilos to be able to compete in the hills,” Vacek said.
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“I really gave everything to be well prepared for the Tour de France. I believe it will pay off.”
