Chasing the dream: Henri-François Haquin’s first Ronde van Vlaanderen

For many riders, it’s a race they grow up watching. For some, it becomes a goal. And for a select few, it turns into a dream they one day get to live themselves. This Sunday, Henri-François Haquin will line up at the start of Ronde van Vlaanderen for the very first time.

A new team, a step up to the World Tour, and now one of cycling’s most iconic races on his program: it’s been a period of change for the Frenchman. And while not everything has gone perfectly so far, his focus is firmly on what lies ahead.

“It’s going well,” Haquin says. “My shape is improving step by step. Training is going well, and I can feel from my legs that I’ve already done some good races. I’m not at 100 percent yet, but that’s normal. After changing teams and stepping up to the World Tour, it takes time. The level is so high, you really have to grow into it.”

Finding his place

That step up has not only meant adapting on the bike, but also settling into a new environment off it. And on that front, Haquin has quickly found his footing.

“I get along well with everyone in the team,” he explains. “It’s a really nice group.”

One rider in particular has stood out. “I have a good connection with Timo Roosen. He has a lot of experience, he’s calm, and he knows how to listen. You can really see that he wants to lead by example.”

At the same time, there are also familiar faces. Teammate Dillon Corkery is someone Haquin has known for years, having ridden together at his previous team, and the connection goes beyond racing. “We both live in Dijon, so we see each other quite a lot,” he smiles.

A step up in every sense

Moving to a World Tour environment has brought a noticeable shift in scale and structure. “Everything is bigger,” Haquin says. “And that means more organisation. Everything is more professional, more detailed, more analysed.”

It’s not just the racing setup that has expanded, but the entire organisation around it.

“With the Men’s program, the Women’s program and the Development program, there are so many people involved. That requires a lot of structure. But I really like that; it helps you as a rider.”

That higher level is something he has already experienced first-hand this season, lining up in WorldTour races like the Tour Down Under, Omloop Nieuwsblad and E3 Saxo Classic.

“I’m really happy with my program so far,” he says. “I’ve already had the chance to ride quite a few World Tour races, and you can really feel the difference. The speed is high every single day. But you get used to it.”

For Haquin, the biggest challenge is not just physical, but also tactical and technical. “I still need to gain experience; to recognise the key moments in a race. When to stay in position, when to move up, those kinds of things.”

Even if the results with the team haven’t followed yet, his belief remains strong. “I’m confident that will come. Right now, it’s a learning process. I still have a lot of steps to take, technically, tactically and physically.”

A race like no other

And now, the next step: Ronde van Vlaanderen. “It’s a mythical race,” Haquin says. “When I was younger, it was probably the race I watched the most on TV, together with Paris–Roubaix and the Tour de France.”

Long, relentless, and brutally demanding, it’s a race where the entire peloton arrives with the same goal. “Everyone targets this race. And honestly, it’s one I’ve always dreamed of winning one day.”

Ask him what image comes to mind when he thinks of Flanders, and the answer comes instantly. “The finish,” he says. “That long, straight run-in, often with a small group of the strongest riders left. I also think of Mathieu van der Poel, winning it a few times. And those sprints where riders are completely empty – like dying swans – fighting for the last bit of energy they have left.”

It’s a level of effort that’s hard to fully grasp from the outside. “I don’t think we always realise how hard that race is. By the finish, they already have so many kilometres and so much climbing in their legs.” Now, he gets to experience it himself. “I’m really looking forward to that.”

Beyond the race itself, there’s something else that makes this Monument unique. “The atmosphere,” Haquin says. “It’s something special in those races.” Fans line the roads in huge numbers, creating a wall of noise on the climbs and cobbled sectors.

“On the Oude Kwaremont, with all those people… that’s going to be incredible. You don’t see that kind of atmosphere very often.”

Into the unknown

For Haquin, this first Ronde van Vlaanderen is not just about the result; it’s about discovery. “I want to feel what a race like that does to me,” he says. “I’ve never raced something this long before.”

Last year’s Liège–Bastogne–Liège comes closest in terms of distance, but even that doesn’t quite compare. “And in Flanders, the weather is often tougher as well. So I’m really curious. And honestly, also a bit impatient.”

So what would make his first Ronde van Vlaanderen a success? “First of all, I want the team to be satisfied with my race,” he says. “That means executing my role properly.”

Being in good shape, delivering when it matters, and contributing to the team’s overall performance; that’s the priority. “I want to play my part so that the team can achieve the best possible result.”

What comes next

The spring doesn’t stop after De Ronde. Paris–Roubaix is already waiting. “I’ll also ride Roubaix, which is another big one,” Haquin says. “I did it once as an U23 rider, but that’s completely different. I’m really looking forward to it.”

After that, a short period of recovery awaits before building up again towards the next goals. “Then I’ll come back in Romandie,” he says. “And by then, a big part of the season is already done,” he adds with a laugh. “But we’ll take stock and see which races suit me best for the rest of the year.”