"I am not afraid to take responsibility" - Loe van Belle ready for the step up to World Tour level with Jumbo-Visma

One of the riders making the step up from Jumbo-Visma Development Team to Jumbo-Visma proper is Loe van Belle and the 21-year-old Dutchman is ready to make the most of this opportunity.

"Every year, I have progressed. One year a little more than the other, but that's part of a young rider's journey," van Belle reflects to his team's official website having been part of the setup since 2021. "I have always felt supported by the team. It's a pleasant environment, not least because of the many good teammates and knowledgeable staff."

For the chance to ride alongside some of the peloton's most notable names like Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss, van Belle is incredibly excited. Having been given a taste of it at O Gran Camiño, he just wants more. "Riding in the same team as Jonas Vingegaard and all the other big names had been one of my goals for years. Riding with the guys from the WorldTour team is an experience that nobody can take away from me. It makes you want more. Fortunately, it will happen more often in the coming years."

"Because the team has allowed us to get used to racing at the highest level, the final step up is probably not that big. I felt very welcome in the team," he concludes. "Next year, I will be part of the WorldTour team. It is a wonderful feeling. I have dared to race in the last few years, but I have also dared to fail. I will take that with me to the pros. I am not afraid to take responsibility. I can say that I have grown up in the last few years, and I am ready for the step up."