ProTeam Jenno Berckmoes, Lionel Taminiaux and Henri Vandenabeele to Lotto Dstny

Lotto Dstny will be adding three new riders to the ProTeam next year. Jenno Berckmoes (22), Lionel Taminiaux (27) and Henri Vandenabeele (23) will ride in Lotto Dstny outfit in the upcoming seasons as the three Belgians each signed a two-year agreement.

“We are happy that these three talented Belgians are joining our Lotto Dstny project. With these riders, we are strengthening the team on different terrains. Vandenabeele is a promising climber, Berckmoes is someone for the hilly races and Taminiaux proved himself as an allrounder with a fast sprint. They are team players but also able to go for own results. They perfectly fit into our plans for the future”, says CEO Stéphane Heulot.

Vandenabeele aims for fresh start with Lotto Dstny

The young Belgian Henri Vandenabeele (23) is a familiar face at Lotto Dstny as he was already part of the Development Team in 2019 and 2020. During that time, Vandenabeele showed his climbing legs with amongst others a second place at the Giro U23 and Ronde de l’Isard.

“I got warm memories of my time in the Development Team and it’s really nice to be racing for the ProTeam the next two seasons”, says Vandenabeele. “I kept following Lotto Dstny and you just feel the team has taken some nice steps while they continue to invest in the future. To see the evolution of a rider like Maxim Van Gils – who’s been my teammate for two years – really motivates me.”

“After a season with quite some bad luck, mainly due to illness, I needed a fresh start. I am happy to be granted the opportunity by Lotto Dstny but I’m also grateful to Team DSM-firmenich for the past years. At the moment, the focus is on getting healthy again and gradually growing towards my normal level. I remain ambitious and want to show myself in races with lots of climbing but I am also looking forward to discover some of the Classics.”

Jenno Berckmoes ready for next step in the hilly Classics

Jenno Berckmoes (22) steps up from Team Flanders-Baloise. The rider from Sint-Lievens-Houtem turned pro last year, got a taste of the races he’s been dreaming of and looks forward to the next step in his career.

“I’ve been pro for almost two years now and I already learned a lot during that period. I feel ready for the next step and I think Lotto Dstny is a logical choice”, explains Berckmoes. “It’s a Belgian team with lots of ambition, that’s crystal clear. I immediately felt the connection and I am really excited about the plans the team has in store for me.”

“I would describe myself as a puncheur and I’m dreaming of races like Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I look forward to assisting guys like Andreas Kron and Maxim Van Gils, who were up there at the very front during the Ardennes Classics. In the future, I’d also like to show myself in these races.”

Taminiaux wants to further develop himself within Lotto Dstny

Lionel Taminiaux (27) will exchange Alpecin-Deceuninck for Lotto Dstny next year. The 27-year-old Belgian is at his best during hilly one-day Classics. His strong sprint already delivered him three victories and places of honour in amongst others Circuit de Wallonie, Bredene Koksijde Classic and Binche-Chimay-Binche.

“I am someone who likes to race offensively and doesn’t want to wait for a bunch sprint, that is why Lotto Dstny is a perfect match”, says Taminiaux. “I was looking for that next step in my career and I immediately got a good feeling about the team when speaking to the management. I feel that I’ve not yet been able to fully discover my potential and I hope to realize this within Lotto Dstny.”

“My role in the team will be twofold. As a Belgian, I want to further discover the Classics and see how far I can go. I’m not talking about Monuments but races like Nokere Koerse, GP Samyn should suit me well. I really admire the evolution of a rider like Milan Menten for example (who won GP Samyn this year). I will also put myself at the service of the team, possibly as a lead-out. I know Arnaud De Lie quite well and I look forward to be racing together with him”, concludes Taminiaux.

 Images: Photo News.