We are delighted to announce the signing of Maikel Zijlaard ahead of the coming season. The 19-year old Dutchman will join the Academy after riding the last two seasons with Hagens Berman Axeon. “I am very happy and super motivated to be able to join the Academy and very much looking forward to the coming years. I want to achieve some great results personal and team-wise, and above all, I am looking forward to developing myself as a cyclist” points out Zijlaard. 

The talented Dutchman, who rode to third in the Giro d’Italia U23 prologue despite a late mechanical problem and sprinted to second in Triptyque’s des Monts et Châteaux stage 2, will be looking forward to strengthening and bringing to the next level his one-day races skills as well as his time trialing ability. “It goes without saying that the ultimate goal is to move up to the professional ranks when the time comes, but right now is all about learning and making my stint in the Academy a successful one”. 

Zijlaard, who in 2017 as a Junior soloed to the win in the Tour of Flanders, saw the environment in the team and the professionalism as a major asset. “I decided to join the Academy not only because I certainly believe that is the best team to develop my strengths, but also because you can feel that the team chemistry is really high and everyone is committed to fighting for one another”.