🇳🇱 NEW RIDER: @BekkumDarren We welcome Darren Van Bekkum as our neo-pro for 2025 and 2026: 📰👉 bit.ly/4efMbra #AstanaQazaqstanTeam
Van Bekkum leaves (development team) Visma | Lease a Bike and signs WorldTour contract with Astana Qazaqstan Team
CyclingMonday, 23 September 2024 at 13:47
Darren van Bekkum will make the move from the development team of Visma | Lease a Bike to the Astana Qazaqstan Team led by Aleksandr Vinokourov. The Kazakh team announced this on Monday afternoon in a message on X.
The now 22-year-old Van Bekkum has been riding in the development team of the killer bees since 2021. Representing that team, he cycled to several notable placements, but a move to the main squad did not materialize. Therefore, the Dutch cyclist from Amersfoort – who is in a relationship with Puck Pieterse, also from Amersfoort – opted to switch to Vino's team.
Van Bekkum signs with Astana Qazaqstan Team until the end of 2026
"I’m truly excited and proud to make my WorldTour debut with Astana Qazaqstan Team," the Dutchman said in a reaction. "After four great years with my current team, Visma-Lease a Bike Development Team, I’m ready for a change, a new environment, and a new approach to working and racing. I always give 100% in both training and racing, and next year I will continue to show everything I’m capable of, day by day, to become stronger and more successful. I hope to become a valuable part of the team on its path to new achievements."
And of course, Vinokourov himself was pleased with the acquisition of the rider from Utrecht. "Darren is a young rider with serious potential and notable experience not only in youth races but also in professional events. His strong season and solid results speak for themselves, but beyond that, I would also highlight his strong work enthusiasm and determination. His move to the WorldTour is happening at the right time. Darren has every opportunity to thrive in our team, gain experience, help others succeed, and showcase his own abilities. Two exciting seasons lie ahead, and I hope that he will fully realize his potential within our project." Van Bekkum is signing a contract until the end of 2026 with the team.
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024