ProTeam Stan Dewulf returns to Lotto-Intermarché and signs until 2028
Stan Dewulf grew up at Lotto. At the age of 18, he joined the Lotto-Soudal U23 development team– where he won, among other races, Paris-Roubaix U23– before signing his first professional contract after three seasons. Dewulf ultimately spent two years as a professional with Lotto. And next year, he will return. “I really wanted to return to a team where the spring classics are a major focus,” says Stan Dewulf. “Those Flemish races, that’s what I live for and why I became a cyclist. The classics, the Flandrien 0.0 Classic (formerly Super 8, ed.), Antwerp Port Epic… I have raced for French teams for the past six years, but throughout that time I have stayed in close contact with sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer. When he contacted me again, I quickly felt that the team’s sporting project was a good match for what I was looking for.”
Last season, Dewulf finished fourth in the E3 Saxo Classic and fourth overall in the Four Days of Dunkirk, where he also finished second in the stage to Cassel. “In my eyes, Lotto-Intermarché is a team of opportunists. Strong across the board, too. That mentality appeals to me. It looks like the team won’t have one absolute leader in its ranks next year, and that will make things all the more interesting. It will be about racing attractively and offensively. I’m really looking forward to rediscovering how far I can go in that role. At the same time, I dream of riding the Tour again. In recent years, with a full sprint and climbing train, it wasn’t always easy for a rider with my profile to earn a spot. I hope to change that this season.”
There is no doubt that Dewulf returns as a different rider from the one who left the team at the end of 2020. “I was a young professional back then; in the meantime, I have gained six more years of experience. I want to bring that maturity to the team. Lotto-Intermarché has a lot of young, talented riders in its ranks. They already receive excellent support in terms of performance, but there is also a lot to learn when it comes to race craft. I hope I can use my experience in that area as well to help guide the younger riders.”
Sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer is delighted with Stan Dewulf’s return: “Stan fits very well with the type of team we want to be. Over the past few years, he has proven that he can compete at a high level in the classics, and that is exactly where we want to give him plenty of opportunities again. At the same time, he brings a lot of experience. Stan knows our team, he knows the Flemish races inside out and he knows what it takes to perform at the highest level. With so many young riders in our squad, a profile like his is particularly valuable. I am convinced that, at 28, he can still take some great steps himself while also playing an important role in the development of our young riders.”
Picture: PhotoNews
