Development Jarno Widar crowned 'Belofte van het Jaar' at the Sports Gala

Following his earlier honors as 'Belofte van het Jaar' at the Kristallen Fiets and 'Flandrien van de toekomst' during the Gala of the Flandrien, Jarno Widar now adds a third prestigious trophy to his growing collection. The 19-year-old young talent of Lotto Cycling Team was crowned 'Belofte van het Jaar' at the Sports Gala held in Brussels.

Currently training in Calpe in preparation for the new U23 season, Widar expressed his delight with the award: "It has been an incredible year, and I want to do everything I can to improve even further this season. Winning this award is the perfect way to close out my year. Of course, my pink jersey in the Giro stands out—it was an amazing week with the team. I’m truly honored to receive this recognition and want to thank everyone who made it possible. A big thank you to the organizers of the Sports Gala, my family, the team, and my coach."

Widar can look back on a remarkable season, during which he not only made cycling history as the first Belgian to claim the top spot at the Giro Next Gen but also secured victories at the Valle d'Aosta Mont Blanc—another prestigious race for young riders—and the Alpes Isère Tour. Recently, he signed a renewed three-year contract with Lotto Cycling Team, ensuring he remains a cornerstone of the Belgian team for years to come.

Picture: PhotoNews