Jarno Widar brings holiday cheer to Lotto Dstny: supertalent extends contract until 2027

Cycling
Thursday, 19 December 2024 at 17:27
jarno widar

Jarno Widar will remain with Lotto Dstny for the next three years. The team announced the news on Thursday afternoon in a press release — a big boost for the Belgian squad, which recently saw Maxim Van Gils leave.

In the statement released by the team: "Lotto Dstny is particularly proud to announce that Widar will continue to defend the team's colors in 2025. The young top talent will remain part of the ambitious and prestigious development team for the upcoming season, after which he will step up to the professional peloton, where he will race for the team until at least 2027. With this improved contract, Lotto Dstny continues to highlight its mission of helping to develop young talent."

Read more below the tweet.

No repeat of Van Gils scenario for Widar: "Deciding factors in becoming a pro with Lotto"

Widar’s decision to stay was explained by his management: "The further development of the performance team, the collaboration with his coach Oliver Delaey and the certainty that he can continue to grow step by step within this Belgian team were the deciding factors for Jarno Widar to sign for at least three more years and also become a professional rider with Lotto. During this period, he will have the time to experience the races he's aiming for and start building toward his first Grand Tour."

The team undoubtedly feared that Widar might be lured away by a larger squad with greater financial resources, but that hasn’t happened — for now. "His development within the team is the result of a targeted approach and close guidance from our performance team, where talent, ambition, and science come together. He, along with our other promising riders, is proof that we must continue to promote our core philosophy — supporting young talent," said a satisfied Stéphane Heulot.

Widar himself also shared his thoughts on the extended contract: "At Lotto, I get all the opportunities I need to further build my career. Over the next three years, we can continue to develop a great project together, the foundation of which was already laid last season. The Giro Next Gen and Tour de l'Avenir, as well as the European and World Championships, will be key objectives for next season. Next to that, I’ll be able to experience some big races at my own pace. I feel that the team is doing everything possible in terms of performance to make this a success and I look forward to the upcoming season," emphasized the young Belgian about his personal trajectory.

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