20-year-old Kevin Vermaerke has been near the top of the list in terms of up-and-coming talent in the American cycling scene for the past 2 years, and this year he’s made the move up from Continental Pro with Hagens Berman Axeon to Team DSM, formally known as Sunweb.
We had the chance to chat with Kevin a little bit on his history in the sport, and how he’s looking at taking on the jump to the World Tour Competition.
Check out our interview with Kevin
ZM – Can share with us a little background on where you come from, and how you got into cycling?
KV – I was born in South Africa, but grew up in California which is where my mom is from. My dad grew up in South Africa, spending a lot of time in Belgium when he was a junior racing on the road and track. As a junior he came 2nd in the IP at the world championships in Colorado Springs. He never became a full pro, but cycling has always been in my blood and he introduced me to mountain biking when I was young.
ZM – At what age did you decide to decide that you wanted to be professional cyclist, and what would you say the biggest motivation was for you?
KV – The first race I did is probably when I realized I wanted to be a pro, although inadvertently. Since the start I have been obsessed with improving, taking the next step, trying to move up. With categories, teams, rankings, I just wanted to move up all the time. The biggest motivation for me is to be a pro, and not just an average pro but a great pro. I want to be one of the legends of my generation. It motivates me to train and be the best I can every day.
ZM – How did your deal with Team DSM come together?
KV – I had a good season in 2019, and as a result was invited to a couple WT camps in the 2019/2020 offseason. I joined the Team Sunweb camp in December and liked what I saw with the team and organization. I felt like the team would provide me with the best resources and opportunities to establish myself as a pro. They offered me a contract after the camp, and as soon as I had made up my mind, that is where I wanted to go, I signed in February. Obviously, everything went to shit shortly after that with corona. It’s funny how everything always works out how it’s supposed to, and signing before the pandemic took a load of my shoulders, although in the end, it probably wouldn’t have changed anything.
ZM – What rider in the world Tour do you see demonstrate the most similarities to your riding style, and what makes you different from that rider?
KV – Riders like Van Aert, Hirschi, Alaphalippe and Vanderpoel are riders that I think most similarly reflect my riding style and skills. My punchiness and ability to sprint after a big climbing day are the traits that I think will help me find my niche in the World Tour. What makes me different? Haha, probably the fact that I didn’t grow up engulfed in the cycling culture like most of the European guys. I’m hoping to bring some of the culture from other American sports and introduce that into pro cycling.
ZM – What kind of role can we expect you to play on the Team DSM in 2021?
2021 will be about learning, gaining experience, and capitalizing on the chances that come my way. I will be facing a much higher race load, more time in Europe, and a much higher level of racing. I am hungry and motivated, so I will jump on top of any chances that come my way.
ZM – What are you most excited about in making the transition to the world tour?
KV – Finally getting the chance to show myself at the biggest races, it’s something I’ve dreamed about every night since I was thirteen years old.
ZM – What’s your dream race to win, and what is the fantasy scenario in which you take the win?
KV – World Championships. A home course, a brutal race, attacking from a reduced group over the top of a climb with 8km to go, race over. Pulling on that jersey is what I want more than anything else in cycling.
Kevin wrote a great farewell post on Instagram to his former team, check it out below and be sure to follow this young man on his Journey to the top of the professional ranks.
Did some riding with this kid in SoCal on Como ride with my son Aden. Very happy for him and was great to ride with