ProTeam Lotto-Intermarché continues its mission: young talent Jarno Widar extends his contract until 2028
Lotto-Intermarché continues its commitment to developing young talent from within. Jarno Widar has extended his current contract and signed a new deal that will keep him with the team until the end of 2028. Although he was already under contract until 2027, both Widar and Lotto-Intermarché have reaffirmed their mutual confidence in one another.
Jarno Widar: “I feel really good at Lotto-Intermarché. This is the team I joined through the Development Team in 2024, and where I have grown over the past years into the rider I am today. I’m convinced this is the best place to continue that development over the coming seasons, not only as a rider but also as a person. The team gives me the trust and the opportunities that are so important for a young rider like me. I’m in constant contact with my coach and the rest of the performance staff. Here, I have all the support I need to get the best out of myself every single day together with them. I’m really looking forward to continuing to build on the foundations we have laid over the past seasons, and I will do everything I can to chase great results.”
Over the past few years, Jarno Widar has established himself as one of the best climbers of his generation. He became the first Belgian ever to win the Giro Next Gen, claimed the Giro della Valle d’Aosta twice, and also won the Alpes Isère Tour, Ronde de l’Isard, Liège–Bastogne–Liège U23 and Flèche Ardennaise. Widar also took stage victories in the Tour de l’Avenir and was crowned European champion in 2025. This season, Jarno Widar made the step up to the professional ranks. After overcoming a persistent knee injury, he immediately impressed on his return at the Tour de Suisse with a fourth place in the queen stage, finishing behind riders including Tadej PogaÄar and Lenny Martinez. In a few weeks, he will also make his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España.
Kurt Van de Wouwer, Sports manager Lotto-Intermarché: “Over the past seasons, Jarno Widar has shown and proven that he possesses exceptional potential. We have become a home where he can continue to grow at his own pace, but above all a place where we can provide him – and tomorrow’s talents – with the very best environment. The team works closely with Ghent University, develops cutting-edge equipment together with bike partner Orbea, invests in staff education and closely follows new technologies before implementing them within the team. Our young riders benefit from that approach, and the numbers speak for themselves: over the past five years, no fewer than 33 riders have progressed from our youth structure to the professional peloton.”
Jean-François Bourlart, General manager Lotto-Intermarché: “Jarno Widar’s development within our team is the result of a clear vision and meticulous guidance from our performance department, where talent, ambition and science come together. Alongside our other promising riders and young professionals, Jarno is proof that we must continue to embrace our core philosophy: supporting young talent. We are all looking forward to seeing him ride his very first Grand Tour in the coming weeks.”
Photo: @cyclingmedia_agency
