Mathias Vacek extends contract with Lidl-Trek until 2029

Lidl-Trek have announced that Mathias Vacek has extended his contract with the team through to the end of the 2029 season.

“I’m feeling really confident to be here in this team, which is also developing every year and doing everything possible for the riders to be the number one in the world. For this I’m really grateful,” said Vacek in an official press release announcing the news. “It’s now my third year in the Team and I’m super happy with how I’m developing,” added Vacek.

“If I look back now at how I started and what level I was back then, and where I am now, I really couldn’t imagine that I would do such a jump like this and could be now on the top level. An important thing was definitely that I had so much trust in the Team and the Team trusted me, so I really had the support and freedom to take the wheel in my hands and do everything possible to reach the level I am now, and even further,” said Vacek.

Other than Mads Pedersen's so-called lifetime contract, Vacek's extension sees the Czech hold the team's longest deal, provisionally at least, exceeding Danish prodigy Albert Withen Philipsen's contract, which runs through until 2028. This illustrates the clear trust that Lidl Trek have in the Czech champion based on his performances so far for the team.

Vacek joined the team as a stagiaire in August 2022, having spent a little over a year at Gazprom-RusVelo, where he had his breakthrough moment earlier in the season by winning a stage of the UAE Tour from the breakaway ahead of Paul Lapeira, who would go on to become French champion in 2024.

Since then, Vacek has illustrated his well-rounded ability, as one of the more versatile riders in the peloton and has become an important cog in the Lidl-Trek machine. The Czech rider has balanced his role as a key lieutenant for riders such as Mads Pedersen, as illustrated at the Giro d’Italia, where Vacek was integral in the Dane’s success for his work in the lead outs and for controlling the race.

However, when required and presented the opportunity, Vacek has been able to step up to a leadership role, as demonstrated by a recent stage win at the Ethias Tour de Wallonie in July.

In his grand tour debut at the Vuelta a España last year, Vacek left an impression on the race, finishing second in the opening individual time trial, and in a sprint on stage 7, as well as spending three days in the best young rider's jersey. Vacek backed this up with the aforementioned performance at the Giro d’Italia this season, where he wore the white jersey once more and was a crucial teammate for Pedersen’s four stage wins.

“For the next years I definitely have big ambitions, of course, it would be nice to race the Tour de France in the future, maybe even next year. I would love to win a stage at the Tour, I know it’s a big task but I am really motivated and looking forward to working hard to reach my best. I’ve already worn the White Jersey in the Vuelta and the Giro, now it would be nice to wear it at the Tour. I’m confident that the next years will be really good,” said Vacek in the press release.

“The classics are some of my favorite races to do and there I want to also be really good. I know I have the power in myself and now I have to still gain experience and learn how to be a big leader and put myself in the big player game. I know that I’m close and know that if I work well and stay focused it will come,” Vacek added.

At only 23 years old, and with a well-rounded set of skills at his disposal, there is room for further development, and this is something that Lidl Trek General Manager Luca Guercilena reflected on in the press release.

“Mathias has all the makings of a big champion,” said Guercilena. “His work ethic, the way he learns from those around him, and also how he treats his teammates and staff speaks volumes about his character.”

“I believe that these qualities, combined with his physical ability, will take him very far. His performances over the last two years especially show that he is on the verge of some big wins. We’re excited to discover his full potential as we continue to work together over the next four years,” said Guercilena