Václav Ježek is coming off a breakthrough season, crowning it with a move to UAE Team Emirates Gen Z. He will join the development team of the elite UAE Team Emirates-XRG, for which Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar also races, starting in the 2027 season. Until now, he has raced for Kasper Crypto4me.
This season, Ježek made his mark with victories in the Tour of Hellas and the West Bohemia Tour stage races. At the Czech Tour, he finished seventh overall and was the top Czech rider. Another notable result came at the Peace Race U23, where he finished third in the final stage.
Ježek attributes his progress in part to his collaboration with the Czech Cycling Academy (CCA) and its coach, Pieter Timmermans. “I think I’m 30, maybe even 40 percent better as a road cyclist than I was last year. I’ve been working with CCA for about a year and a half. Through the programme, I started working with Pieter, who puts a lot of energy into my training. Even when I’m in the middle of a training session and feel I could push harder, or when I’m not feeling quite right, I can let Pieter know and he’ll adjust my training plan straight away. Working with the academy was definitely one of the key steps that helped me get to where I am today,” says Václav Ježek.
The move to UAE Team Emirates Gen Z opens a new chapter in the young Czech rider’s career and gives him the opportunity to build on his results at international level. Ježek’s story also highlights the role the Peace Race U23 can play in the development of young cyclists, giving them valuable experience in an international peloton as they prepare to take the next step towards professional cycling.
Photo: Jan Brychta
