Development Lotto Dstny Development team kicks off season at Tour du Var

Following a team camp in Spain, the Lotto Dstny Development Team will be at the start of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var (UCI 2.1) this Friday. Not only does this three-day stage race in the South of France mean the start of the season, it will also be the first ever time that the Development Team of Lotto Dstny will race as a UCI Continental Team.

Sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer looks forward to this special moment for Lotto Dstny.

“To finally get the first race as a UCI Continental Team started after a lot of preparatory work is obviously a special feeling”, says Kurt Van de Wouwer. “I wouldn’t compare it with a first day at school but it definitely is an important new step to give our young cycling talents all the chances to further develop themselves.”

Also this season, a lot of youngsters are keen on showing their talent in the Lotto Dstny Development Team colours. At the past team training camp in Spain, the foundations were laid for the upcoming season.

“Despite the changing weather conditions, we can look back at a successful training camp. It always is an ideal moment to tick off the necessary kilometres, to integrate the new guys into the team and to make plans for the year ahead. The atmosphere was really nice and it is clear that everyone is motivated to start the new cycling season.”

This new cycling season will kick off with the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var on Friday 17 February.

“The Tour du Var is immediately a demanding race to get the season underway. Actually it’s a race on pro level, just look at the stage wins of Caleb Ewan and Tim Wellens last year. Also this year, the start list quality is of quite a high level. For most of our guys, it will especially be important to learn as much as possible during the three days, to take into the next races.”

Ramses Debruyne, Joshua Giddings, Alec Segaert, Lorenz Van de Wynkele and Jago Willems are the five espoirs at the start. With Lennert Van Eetvelt and Jarne Van de Paar, also two Lotto Dstny ProTeam riders part of the selection.

“Van Eetvelt and Van de Paar are our two pros at the start. Both have already shown themselves on Mallorca and they definitely want to do it again in the Tour du Var. Lennert will target the hard stages and Jarne will be looking for sprint opportunities”, concludes Kurt Van de Wouwer.