At Soudal-Quick Step they saw their Giro team shrink from 8 to 2 riders in recent weeks. How does such a two-man team function? And what is the relationship like between fellow sufferers Pieter Serry and Ilan Van Wilder? Renaat Schotte went to investigate.
The two of us in the team bus, the two of us on the starting podium and every evening a tête-à-tête at dinner.
“Just like a married couple”, laughs Pieter Serry. “Even if we don’t sleep together, we’re in separate rooms.”
Due to Covid and other germs, Soudal-Quick Step has to survive the killer final week with 2 riders: Pieter Serry and Ilan Van Wilder.
A two-man team: how exactly does it work?
“I told the boys today that we are going to the starting podium as a team and that as a team we can try to draw a fan in the final”, sports director Klaas Lodewyck laughs.
“Humor is important in these circumstances, otherwise it would be another long Giro.”
Serry: “Ilan and I each have 6 men available”
What about the framework for a two-man team?
“I think Ilan and I each have 6 men available”, Serry calculates. “Team managers, carers, a chef… Everyone stayed. We even have our own mattress.”
“Chapeau that the team still supports us so well.”
Meanwhile, Serry and Van Wilder are growing closer together. “Dinner is romantic, with a candle between the two of us,” Serry laughs.
“It’s actually a sad scene to see: a small table with 2 riders.”
“It now comes down to not arguing. That would only make it depressing. Fortunately, we get along well.”
Dinner is romantic, with a candle between the two of us.
Although there are only two of them, Serry and Van Wilder do not lose their motivation.
“Ilan is good. With him we try to aim for a good classification in these last days,” says Serry.
“A top 10 place for Ilan in the final classification would be a very nice achievement,” sports director Lodewyck concludes.
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