Sean De Bie joins Lotto Belisol!
Lotto Belisol is happy to announce that as from next year Sean De Bie will be part of our pro team, and this for two seasons. With De Bie we take the new European champion U23 on board. In July the almost 22-year-old Belgian rider from Bonheiden took the title in the Czech Olomouc. In a sprint of eight he beat home rider Petr Vakoc and the Latvian Tom Skujins. The coming of De Bie suits our philosophy to offer chances to Belgian youngsters.
De Bie, who is now riding for Leopard-Trek Continental team, joins us as of the 1st of January 2014. Sean is the nephew of the Belgian national cyclocross coach Rudy De Bie and former cyclocross rider Danny De Bie. Sean De Bie has set good results in cyclocross as well – in 2006 and 2007 he became Belgian national champion in the novice youth category – but since a few years he focuses on the road. Also there he set some strong results. Last year he won the first stage of the Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux.
Manager Marc Sergeant: “Sean De Bie is unquestionably part of the top of the U23 at the moment. His recent title in the European championship proves that. He’s part of a cycle family, can be brought into action on different terrains, but is someone with a preference for the classic work and isn’t slow in a group at the finish. I’m definitely proud that Lotto Belisol has succeeded in taking him on. The competition is big, but giving chances to talented Belgian young riders is part of our vision and with this we fully endorse it.”
Sean De Bie: “I’m ready to make the step towards the pros. I feel I’ve become stronger, also mentally. From now on it can all begin. It means much to me that Lotto Belisol offers me this opportunity. I’m very grateful for it. A few reasons why I chose for this team is the fact that the language is Dutch and that I already know some of the riders, it will be great to ride in a team with them.”
“I don’t yet know what my exact role will be. I want to grow in the team, so I become a great rider. In my first year I want to learn and see how it all works with pros. On the moments that I can get to go my own chance in the races that suit me, I will try to set good results. For the rest I want to support the team and hope to become a fixed part of it. One day races and short hills suit me the best. I’m not slow at the finish, so that’s an extra advantage. With the novices and juniors I already made the choice for the road.”
Data:
Name: Sean De Bie
Date of birth: 3/10/1991
Place of birth: Bonheiden
Length: 173 cm
Weight: 65 kg.
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