Lidl-Trek hand contract to German rider who surprised Van der Poel in Luxembourg
Not many riders can say they have followed Mathieu van der Poel when the Dutchman attacks at full speed. Eike Behrens managed exactly that at this autumn’s Tour de Luxembourg, and the 21-year-old German has now earned himself a move to Lidl-Trek.
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Lidl-Trek have unveiled their development squad for 2027, with Behrens among the 16 riders selected for next season. The German arrives from continental outfit Lotto Kern-Haus, just weeks after making a name for himself in rather unusual circumstances.
Until September, Behrens was hardly a familiar name outside German cycling circles. That changed on the opening stage of the Tour de Luxembourg, when he found himself going toe to toe with Van der Poel on one of the race's toughest climbs.
The Dutchman had launched one of his trademark accelerations on the steep Côte de Stafelter, quickly putting the rest of the favourites under pressure. Pepijn Reinderink initially tried to follow, but when Van der Poel accelerated again, only Behrens was able to stay on his wheel.
The pair crested the climb together but were caught 4km from the finish. Van der Poel still went on to win the uphill sprint in Luxembourg City ahead of Pierre Gautherat and Marijn van den Berg, while Behrens had already made a name for himself.
'I had only ever seen him on television'
At the time, Behrens himself could scarcely believe what had happened.
Speaking to German outlet Radsport News, he described the experience of riding alongside Van der Poel as something he would not soon forget.
"It was incredibly exciting the whole time. Riding with Mathieu isn't something you get to do every day," he said.
"Until then, I had only seen him racing on television. It was completely surreal."
The German was particularly pleased to have shown what he was capable of on such a big stage.
"In the minutes afterwards, I was mainly just incredibly happy that I'd produced such a good performance and managed to put myself in the spotlight like that."
Behrens also impressed in the general classification, finishing tenth overall, 2:33 behind race winner Davide Piganzoli (Visma | Lease a Bike).
That showing in Luxembourg has now been followed by Behrens a move to Lidl-Trek Future Racing for 2027, where he will be part of a 16-rider squad representing 11 countries under the guidance of former professional Markel Irizar.
The roster also includes Harry Hudson, the 2025 junior road race world champion, who will remain with the team after a difficult first season. The Briton barely raced in 2026 after suffering a fractured vertebra when he was hit by a motorcyclist during a training ride in Girona in May.
