Algemeen Lotto Dstny and Ghent University enter into a strategic partnership

The Belgian professional cycling team Lotto Soudal, next season Lotto Dstny, and Ghent University are starting a strategic partnership. The collaboration will provide the coaches, trainers, nutritionists, medical staff and other professionals of the cycling team with a scientific sounding board. The experienced research group PACE (exercise physiology and sports sciences) of the department of Movement and Sports Sciences at Ghent University finds the ultimate showcase in the cycling team and an opportunity to translate their scientific knowledge into practice.

The collaboration with Ghent University is a next step for Lotto Dstny in the further professionalization of the team's performance department. “For us, this is a great sounding board for our coaches, trainers, nutritionists, medical staff and all other specialists within the team,” says sports director Nikolas Maes. Together with Maxime Monfort, he leads the performance department of the team. “It is a way to fine-tune everything even better in our team, with a scientific basis. All topics can be covered: heat training, altitude training, exercise science, strength training, nutrition, hydration and much more. We are currently already discussing the latter two topics in very concrete terms.”

In concrete terms, Lotto Dstny and PACE (Ghent University) will meet on a regular basis under the leadership of Professor Jan Boone to exchange knowledge on various topics. Team doctor Peter Plessers: “As doctors, trainers, coaches and nutritionists, we naturally have a thorough basic knowledge of our domain, supplemented with very specific experience within cycling. However, it is impossible for us to keep up with the continuous flow of scientific research and publications. And that while there are very interesting insights to be found. In the research group led by Professor Jan Boone, we have found a very professional and knowledgeable partner to translate that specific knowledge to us. On the one hand to gain new insights, but also to support our existing practices or protocols on a scientific basis.”

The research group PACE at Ghent University is led by Professor Jan Boone. He is very enthusiastic about the collaboration with the professional Belgian cycling team: “We are two Belgian institutions with a certain history and reputation that have joined forces. In concrete terms, we will proactively approach the team with certain sports scientific knowledge and vice versa, the team can contact us with all possible questions. From the various sessions we have already had together, we notice how open the team is to new insights. As a scientist, it is nice to be able to discuss with the specialists in the field. All in all, this collaboration is very positive for both us and the team.”

Images: Photo News & Vanvid Multimedia.