In the Ghelamco Arena, the stadium of first class football club KAA Ghent, the Lotto Belisol team presentation for 2014 took place. On this common event of the men’s team, Lotto Belisol Ladies and U23 team the riders could show their new outfits to press and about 700 guests. The evening was built around the slogan “Live Your Dream”.
The presentation was in hands of Belgian TV figure and dare-devil Tom Waes and Valerie Thys, former face of the Lotto draw. They asked the wishes and dreams of the podium guests. Team manager Marc Sergeant spoke of the ambitions for next season and talked about the reinforcement of the team thanks to nine newcomers. He said that the teambuilding and training camp in Mallorca already made it a close group.
Between the interviews short films were shown in which the riders were asked to tell their dream. That were obvious ones, like being on the Tour podium for Jurgen Van den Broeck, but Dennis Vanendert for example said he’d like to win Euro Millions. Newcomer Vegard Breen hopes to win the Norwegian national title and German champion André Greipel told he was already living the dream for nine years as a pro cyclist.
There was also attention for the two new partners, Soudal and IJsboerke, who were represented on the podium respectively by founder and president Vic Swerts and CEO Peter Janssen. Of course the main sponsors were present as well. Nicolas Thiel, general director of Belisol, showed he was happy that Tony Gallopin joined the team, because France is an important consumers’ market for the producer of windows. Marc Frederix, marketing director of the National Lottery, had the honour to present the unique Lotto Belisol block-calendar that will soon be available in the e-shop.
Duo’s of riders were called on the podium as well. Climbers Jurgen Van den Broeck and Emma Pooley came to the front together, just like sprinters André Greipel and Jolien D’hoore. For the former Belgian champion all is on Rio 2016 now, where she likes to score on the track. Jürgen Roelandts, who keeps aiming for the Flemish spring races, was joined by U23-rider Tiesj Benoot who dreams of riding these races himself in the middle of a huge crowd. An evident duo was Tony Gallopin and his girlfriend Marion Rousse. They dream of becoming both French champion in the same year, she already took the title in 2012.
Considering the new slogan live your dream Lotto Belisol has decided to support a good cause that has a link with this: Make a Wish Belgium. This organization of volunteers, active in 36 countries, fulfills the dreams of children with a life threatening disease.
It’s obvious the atmosphere in the team is excellent and that both riders and staff are looking forward to 2014; a new season in which they will pursue their dreams and hope to give the fans a fun time.
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.