Starting on January 1st 2014, Stig Broeckx will ride two seasons for the pro team of Lotto Belisol.
He’s already been a cyclist for the U23 team of Lotto Belisol for two years and at the moment he’s a trainee with the pros. As part of that traineeship he rode among other the World Ports Classic. The 23-year-old from Dessel became eighth in the GC and got the white jersey for best youngster.
In August he was second in the Belgian Championship for elites without a contract. Broeckx collected some other second places this year, like in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for U23 and elite without contract. He did become Antwerp provincial time trial champion at the elite without contract.
With Broeckx, Lotto Belisol continues to reinforce its young core after also adding Vegard Breen, Sean De Bie and Boris Vallée were signed. All will make their pro début next season as well.
Marc Frederix, Director Marketing, Sponsoring & External Communication of the Belgian National Lottery: “The transfer of Stig Broeckx from Lotto Belisol U23 to the pros is a nice pinnacle of Lotto Cycling Talent, a project which was started four years ago in cooperation with Energy Lab. From a group of 60 young riders between 15 and 18 years old 15 riders were selected who from that moment on were guided intensively in function of their further development as cyclist. Stig Broeckx was one of them. Talent detection, guidance, development and moving up are the four aspects that are very important in that story. The National Lottery wants to create opportunities and that way it gives young people the chance to develop their talent and qualities. Of course it pleases us that one of those youngsters can set the step to the pros from their regional club via our U23.”
Stig Broeckx: “It’s fantastic that Lotto Belisol offers me a pro contract. This is what you dream of as a little boy. I’m very grateful to the team that via the U23 team I was able to ride a nice programme and got the chance to become pro. I also owe much to the Lotto Cycling Talent project of the National Lottery, established to support young riders. I was part of it together with among others Tim Wellens. That way we got a great guidance by Energy Lab, from positioning on the bike to training methods. That’s the reason why I’m standing where I stand now.”
“My traineeship has gone very well, even better than expected. In a short time I have learned much, also about the organization next to the races. On top of that it’s a totally different way of racing than with the U23. The jersey for best young rider in the World Ports Classic was totally unexpected. That I could show myself in that manner in such a race during my period as trainee is already a small dream come true. Next year I want to continue the same way; assisting the team and show nice things myself.”
Data:
Name: Stig Broeckx
Date of birth: 10/05/1990
Place of birth: Mol
Length: 187 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Record:
2009 – 2010: PWS – Eijssen
2011: Ovyta – Eijssen
2012-2013: Lotto Belisol U23
2013: Antwerp provincial champion time trial elite without contract
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.