We are beyond happy to announce that Minne Verboom will join the Academy from 2018 on wards. “I think that it is the biggest development team and they ride in an international program. Like that I have the chance to be part of the most beautiful U23 races” says Verboom, who has inked  a two-year deal with the team. 

The 17-year old just finished his time as a junior and he feels ready to move up to the U23 ranks with the Academy. “As a first year U23 it will be all about learning. I hope that I can get good results and help the team, but I still have a lot to learn and experience. Being able to race the spring classics, Dutch one-day races and big ones like Paris-Roubaix helps a lot when it come to rider development” highlights Verboom. 

The Dutch youngster has enjoyed a successful last year as a junior as he claimed the junior Dutch TT national championships and the overall classification of the Ronde des Vallées and Nations Cup’s Trofeo Karlsberg. Verboom has also showed his know-how in one day races as he narrowly missed the podium and in the Guido Reybrouck Classic and finished in seventh place in the Grand Prix Bob Jungels and Belgium’s cobbled Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. “I want to become a rider who has a fast sprint but also can ride a time trial, because in my opinion those are the two most beautiful ways of winning a bike race” highlights Verboom, who will wrap up his junior days in style, as he will be defending the colors of the Dutch national team in the junior World Championships RR tomorrow. 

Academy Manager Bart van Haaren highlights the success that Minne had during the 2017 campaign:

“It was great to follow Minne during this year. He made big steps and won stages, the national TT title and a GC in a very tough race. Without a doubt he will show himself tomorrow during the World Championships. It’s great to see his ambition and I’m sure he will be a great fit with our team. It’s more than clear that Minne is ready for the next step and we are happy to work with him coming years.”