Mathias Vacek becomes first leader of the 2026 ZLM Tour
Czech rider Mathias Vacek won the opening time trial of the ZLM Tour in Kapelle. The Lidl-Trek rider completed the course of just over 21 kilometres through the municipality in Zeeland in a time of 23 minutes and 43 seconds. At the finish, he held a 19-second advantage over runner-up Niklas Larsen of Unibet Rose Rockets, who recorded a time of 24 minutes and 2 seconds. Sweden’s Jakob Söderqvist of Lidl-Trek set the third-fastest time in 24 minutes and 7 seconds.
On the course, which finished in front of Kapelle’s town hall, the 24-year-old Vacek averaged almost 53.4 kilometres per hour. He also became the first rider to wear the yellow ZLM leader’s jersey.
Lidl-Trek targets overall victory
“It was a great course. I already felt during the ride that things were going well. I found a good rhythm from the start and also handled the technical section well. In the final kilometres, I was still able to push all the way to the finish. This is a great boost ahead of the World Time Trial Championships in Canada, where I will compete in a few weeks’ time.”
Vacek and his team will now try to defend the yellow ZLM leader’s jersey over the coming days. “With Max Walscheid, Jakob Söderqvist and Hector Alvarez, we have three more Lidl-Trek riders in strong positions in the general classification. Our goal is therefore definitely to fight for overall victory in this ZLM Tour.”
Battle for the Škoda hot seat
Zeeland native Tim van Dijke of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe was one of the first riders to set a competitive time. He recorded 24 minutes and 43 seconds and occupied the Škoda hot seat for a considerable amount of time.
Young Spaniard Hector Alvarez Martinez (19) of Lidl-Trek was the first rider to go well below that mark, recording a time of 24 minutes and 9 seconds. However, his time was subsequently bettered by Max Walscheid (24:08), Jakob Söderqvist (24:07), Niklas Larsen (24:02) and stage winner Mathias Vacek.
First classification jerseys awarded
Mathias Vacek also received the red Postcode Loterij jersey as leader of the points classification. The green Škoda jersey for the young rider classification went to Hector Alvarez Martinez.
The second stage of the ZLM Tour will take the riders from Westkapelle to Heinkenszand over a distance of 193.8 kilometres.