The Topsport Vlaanderen women’s team has announced a new two-year partnership with Ridley Bikes and a number of new signings, including Ronde van Vlaanderen winner Grace Verbeke. The team will become known as Topsport Vlaanderen-Ridley 2012 as it works towards preparing its riders for both the road and the track at the next Olympic Games in London.
It has long been rumoured that 26-year-old Verbeke would be leaving the Lotto Ladies Team, with which she has ridden since 2006, but until now her destination has been unknown.
While the Ronde winner is the team’s biggest signing, it has also acquired Lieselot Decroix, who has spent the past two years with the Cervélo TestTeam, Latoya Brulée from RedSun Cycling and Belgian champion Liesbet De Vocht from Nederland Bloeit. Retiring OmegaPharma-Lotto rider Glenn D’Hollander will be taking over as director sportif on January 1st, after he ends his 15-year career.
The core of the 2010 team remains; with the vast majority of them being 21-years-old or younger, they will look to learn from the experience of their new teammates, as well as the new team director.
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2011 Topsport Vlaanderen-Ridley 2012 roster:
Else Belmans, Ine Beyen, Latoya Brulée, Jolien D'Hoore, Liesbet De Vocht, Lieselot Decroix, Jessie Druyts (junior), Kelly Druyts, Sjoukje Dufoer, Kaat Hannes, Maaike Polspoel, Annelies Van Doorselaer, Anisha Vekemans and Grace Verbeke.