Tag: Stephen Williams

Edoardo Affini

Edoardo Affini

Who? Edoardo Affini, Italian style, WorldTour level.  What about him?    After two difficult years as U23 in Italy, Affini joined the Academy in 2017 in order to make the next step and get ready to jump to the professional ranks.    How did he perform?   In his first year at the Academy, Affini already achieved some notable results in time trials (4th in the U23 European Championships and 8th in the U23 Worlds), and week-long stage races (6th overall in Olympia's Tour), but it was the working base and the individualized…continue reading →
Cees Bol

Cees Bol

Who? Cees Bol, class of 1995, Noord-Holland's Best.   What about him?    Bol was recruited by the Academy ahead of 2017 after winning the overall classification of the Olympia's Tour. The 22-year old joined the Academy with the goal of getting ready to make the next step and move up to the pro ranks.    How did he perform?   Days before his debut in the 2017 season, Bol fainted at home and suffered a head concussion which obliged him to sit out for most of the season. In agreement with the Academy…continue reading →
Jan Maas

Jan Maas

Who? Jan Maas, born in 1996 joined the Academy as a third year U23 and left as a trainee to the WorldTour.  What about him?    The Academy recruited Maas ahead of the 2017 season. Jan had shown himself in a variety of terrains, but in the Academy, he found his true ability, his killer pace up long climbs.    How did he perform?   Jan showed his climbing skills early in the 2017 season, and after a fantastic performance he wrapped up the Ronde de l'Isard in ninth place overall, shortly after finishing seventh…continue reading →
Stephen Williams

Stephen Williams

Who? Williams, Stephen Williams, born in 1996 in Newport, Wales. Mega personality.  What about him?    Stephen Williams joined the Academy ahead of the 2017 season as a third-year U23, and quickly a two-year development plan was created featuring an international racing program that fully met his needs and allowed him to show his power and his WorldTour class.   How did he perform?   Even though that he already showed some hints of his potential in 2017, with a second place in Flèche Ardennaise and climbing with the best in Ronde de l'Isard,…continue reading →
Williams spends the day in the break in the last stage in Alsace

Williams spends the day in the break in the last stage in Alsace

Today's stage presented the last challenge in the 5-day long Tour d'Alsace. After two hard days in the mountains, today's profile presented a more flat profile, even though that there were certain sections that had consecutive short steep climbs.  As usual throughout the whole race the stage was off to a fast start and several moves were made from the flag drop. Finally it was a group of 12 riders who made the cut in the first instance, however, our Stevie Williams alongside five other riders bridged the gap and formed an 18-man breakaway.…continue reading →
Stevie Williams will step to the WordTour with Team Bahrain Merida

Stevie Williams will step to the WordTour with Team Bahrain Merida

Our Welsh climber, Stephen Williams, will join WorldTour's Bahrain Merida from August the 1st as a trainee followed by a 2-year deal. The 22-year old, who seized the overall victory in the Ronde de l'Isard, joined the Academy two years ago and developed into one of the best climbers in the U23 ranks. "Joining Bahrain Merida is a great privilege for me, I am over the moon to be stepping up to WorldTour with them. I am looking forward to being part of this journey, I feel like it is the perfect stepping…continue reading →
Performance Anaylsis Giro d’Italia U23

Performance Anaylsis Giro d’Italia U23

The Giro d'Italia U23 was a successful one for the Academy as we wrapped up the race with two stage wins, two days in pink, two riders within the Top 15 overall and above all a great team performance in the most challenging stage race of the calendar. The road to the race started early in the season as the Performance Team, led by Vasilis Anastopoulos, planned individualized training plans for the riders. "The planning for this year’s Giro began already during the winter period as we knew that this year’s edition would…continue reading →
Double action day in Italy and Belgium

Double action day in Italy and Belgium

Today was yet another double action day for the Academy as we were in the eighth stage of the U23 Giro d'Italia as well as in Belgium's Dwars door Het Hageland, the fifth round of the Napoleon Games Cup. After yesterday's stage win, Stevie Williams started the day in third overall while thanks to his efforts in the previous races, Cees Bol was in the overall lead of the Napoleon Games Cup. In Italy the race was off to a hectic start, with different groups going on the attack from the flag drop. The…continue reading →
Williams takes the win and gets closer to the GC lead

Williams takes the win and gets closer to the GC lead

Today's stage presented a profile that perfectly suited our climber's skills, and they did not disappoint. Starting in Schio, the peloton had to face a total of 137 km, which included two categorized climb before finishing atop of a first category one. Quickly after the stage started a group of 19 riders moved away from the main group, with Edoardo Affini representing the Academy colors in the front. Bad luck was on the side of Daan Hoole who crashed in a downhill but could get back on the bike without any major inconvenience. The…continue reading →
The Academy wraps up an amazing week with the overall win in l’Isard and a podium in GP Marcel Kint

The Academy wraps up an amazing week with the overall win in l’Isard and a podium in GP Marcel Kint

An unforgettable week for the Academy was wrapped up in the best possible way by our talents. Stevie Williams sealed the overall win in the first European U23 stage race of the season and Cees Bol kept his amazing result chart on point after sprinting to second place in Belgium's 1.1 GP Marcel Kint. The 4-day Ronde de l'Isard ended in an epic way, as three first category climbs awaited the riders on their way to Saint Girons. Our Welsh climber, winner of the first two stages, started the day with 23 seconds over the second…continue reading →