Jelle Wallays is one of the three new riders who signed a pro contract with Lotto Soudal in 2016. The inhabitant of Staden makes the switch to the WorldTour after being part of Topsport Vlaanderen for the last five years. In those years he has won Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Paris-Tours, Omloop van het Houtland and a stage at the World Ports Classic, which proves he is ready for the next step in his career. 

 “At the age of twelve my parents bought my first road bike," he tells the Lotto Soudal website. "I could not ride any races yet, so I trained just for fun. My uncle, former professional rider Luc Wallays, was my coach and prepared me for my first race. In the beginning my parents did not believe I could pull it off. They were convinced that I would not have enough willpower to become a rider, luckily they have changed their opinion in the meantime.

"After training for two years I made my debut at the age of fourteen. I could not finish and neither could I in the next races. I persevered and kept on training to become better. I was not able to compete for the prizes until I was a few years older. My first victory was when I was a junior. As a first year junior I won in Desselgem ahead of Jens Debusschere. This was a decisive victory because since then I have been getting better and better.

“During my period as a U23 rider I raced for Beveren 2000. In the three years as a U23 rider I was able to win six races per season. The highlight was my victory in the U23 edition of Paris-Tours. In 2010 I became trainee at Topsport Vlaanderen, which was the basis for my first professional contract. My transition to the elite was no problem. In early 2011 I suffered a knee injury which ruined the beginning of the season. A few weeks after my comeback, I experienced the climax of my first professional year. At the Belgian Championship in Hooglede I finished third after Gilbert and Meersman. A great moment also due to the fact that Hooglede is close to my hometown.

"I will always cherish the years at Topsport Vlaanderen. The main part of the team were riders from East and West Flanders, this strengthened the team spirit. I learned a lot and am most grateful for the chances that I have been given by the team. Thanks to them I was able to become a better rider.

“Walter Planckaert was the ideal mentor. I am by nature a silent person who listens to what is told. I take every advice into account and apply it to myself. Walter has taught me a lot, both the sporting aspect and the tactical aspect. The best example is Dwars Door Vlaanderen, edition 2014. Over half race I was in the attack with Niki Terpstra. I felt really good and wanted to stay in the front no matter what. So I took the lead with much dedication. In the finale it killed me and my race was over. Terpstra won and I finished 54th.

"After this race I had the most valuable conversation of my career. Walter and I discussed the race during a long time. It came down to the fact that I am much too eager and that I waste my forces. Other riders take advantage of it and that’s why I run short in the end. Keeping this in mind, I won that same year Paris-Tours and the year after Dwars Door Vlaanderen. The victory of Dwars Door Vlaanderen was the most beautiful in my career. There were many fans and the start and finish are not far from Staden; which all makes it so special.

“Next year, apart from the beginning of the season, I mostly look forward to the races where I help the sprinters. At Lotto Soudal I will have a specific role in the sprint train. Last year I was of no importance during the sprint, this will fortunately not be the case next year. My first Grand Tour is also something I am really looking forward to; I am convinced it will make me stronger.

"After the first meeting with the team I immediately felt welcome; it felt really good and gives me confidence for next season. Most of my teammates at Lotto Soudal were my competitors in my youth years, so I already know them but not as teammates. With what I have seen so far, I am confident that my transfer to Lotto Soudal has been the right decision.”