With victories for Eli Iserbyt in Lokeren, Beringen and Bredene and for Denise Betsema in Lokeren and Bredene, Jurgen Mettepenningen can speak of a successful start of his team. “We rarely fail at the beginning of the season, but this time it was better than ever.”
“We are optimally ready for the classification races (the first is Sunday, the Superprestige manche in Gieten). And not just with Iserbyt.”
“Of course I already knew from testing that my riders were okay, but you never know how the competition has worked. Now the intention is to play week after week. We want to claim our role for a season.”
Mettepenningen is therefore looking forward to even more victories, but he also realizes that quality plays a role. A win against Wout van Aert or Mathieu van der Poel counts at least double. “I’m really looking forward to their arrival on the field.”
“I say again: “We’re going to try to beat them.” The longer it takes, the closer that day comes.”
Men: Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck, Michael Vanthourenhout and Toon Vandebosch
Men’s promises: Ryan Kamp (Ned), Anton Ferdinande, Lorenzo Masciarelli (Ita), Witse Meeussen, Pieter Pauwels and Lukas Vanderlinden
Women: Denise Betseman (Ned), Fem van Empel (Ned), Laura Verdonschot and juniors Leonie Bentveld (Ned) and Fleur Moors (from 1 January)
Management: Jurgen Mettepenningen (manager), Richard Groenendaal (men’s sports director), Tom De Kort (women’s sports director) and Mario De Clercq (technical coordinator)
Richard Groenendaal has replaced Gianni Meersman, who moved to Alpecin, in the interim season. “He is a professional through and through,” says Mettepenningen. “How he transfers his knowledge to our riders and how he can assess the competition is certainly a great added value for our team. I am very satisfied with his arrival.”
