He got big quickly Alec Segaert, without rushing. The Flemish player from Roeselare – who will turn 23 in two days – he landed at Bahrain-Victorious continuing its gradual growth process.
Each season he has been able to add a piece to his mosaic of experience and ability, creating a solid foundation to become a reliable rider until he has earned a stimulating challenge outside his country. After four years in Lotto, in the new team Alec will (re)unite with his brother Loic, who became one of Bahrain's coaches and sports directors in 2024 (the two are together in the opening photo) also coming from the Belgian team.
We have known that little boy in May 2021 when he soloed the junior race in Stradella on the Giro route of the same year. And this year we will find him as a pro after having seen him in pink jersey at the Giro NextGen. We took the opportunity, after the retirements in Spain, to find out how Segaert set up his approach to the season.
In Bahrain, you'll be reunited with your brother Loic, who was your first coach, and we imagine you're happy to work with him again. How do you think your relationship will be now on a WT team compared to the past?
It's definitely great to be back with Loic in my new team. We have always been in touch before, but now it will be even better to be able to talk about everything with him.Our bond is very strong, it won't change even now where there is a deeper working relationship. On the contrary, I believe we can grow together and create a career, me as a rider and him as a coach.In any case, we'll see how it goes.
In 2025, you raced a lot and only missed the podium. How was the season overall?
Last year wasn't bad overall. I felt like I had made a big leap forwardIn fact, I didn't manage to win, and it would have been nice to do so. I came close several times, like in the last race I competed in at the Tour of Holland (third place in the fifth and final stage, ed.).
Positive balance then?
Absolutely yes. I can be satisfied with what I've accomplished in 2025. I have competed in all the great Northern classics and I have raced a Grand Tour (the Vuelta, ed.) which helped me gain more experience. I hope the victory comes soon this year.
Let's take your cue. In 2025, you rode the Vuelta, your first Grand Tour. How would you evaluate that experience?
It will definitely come in handy this year. It was very good. At the Vuelta I went exactly as I wantedIn several stages I managed to get into the breakaways, as I had initially planned. I'm happy to have done a good individual time trial on stage eighteen. (eighth place at 15” from Ganna winner, ed.). It means I was fine.
What did it teach you?
We did well with the team. I discovered a little more about myself. For example, together with De Buyst I tried to make a good lead-out for Viviani in his last racesIt was great to race with such experienced and successful teammates like them.
You're a strong time trialist, but you've proven you have what it takes to race classics and hilly stages. What kind of rider do you think you've become, and how much do you think you've grown?
Time trials are definitely a good indicator of whether you're in good shape or not. Doing well in time trials is a good indicator. I think it's a quality that I can also exploit in other types of competitions.
Do you already know how your season will be distributed?
I think it will be split into two or three parts. The first will focus on the classics, while the second will feature stage races where I will find time trials.In Bahrain, I want to grow as a support team for my teammates who are aiming for the overall title. This is an area where I hope to make a difference for the team.
In what areas do you think you've improved so far, both on and off the bike?
As I said before, I worked in the sprinters' train during the final stages. I can't consider myself a "last wheel", however. I'm learning a lot at this point and I'd like to continue doing so here too.. For the rest, in the classics I improved a lot both in my position in the group and in my riding technique.
In what areas would you like to improve?
Thanks to the growth I was talking about before, I could do some race endings more intelligentlyI think this is one of my most important qualities. So I want to improve this aspect even more, hoping to use it to win.
You've won several races in Italy, a place that's always brought you luck. It would be great to see Alec Segaert at the start of the Giro...
I have always loved running in Italy and I can already tell you that we will see you in MayI can't wait to race it. But first there are still all the classics. I'll debut soon with races in Spain and France, but For me the real season will start with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, then Flanders and Roubaix. And finally I will prepare myself properly for the Giro.
What are Segaert's goals for 2026 with Bahrain and the national team?
Most of my goals are focused on the team. Doing well in the classics is my most important goal of the yearThen I repeat: I want to help our general leaders at the Giro or in the week-long stage races. If all goes well, I hope to be called up for the European Championship and the World Cup with Belgium, but there's still a lot of time to think about it.In the meantime, let's try to start the season, then we'll see everything.
