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'Mismanagement, bullying and intimidation' - Deep problems emerge within cycling's new top talent factory
CyclingSaturday, 12 October 2024 at 09:22
Problems continue to emerge within Lotto Dstny and at this point it is very clear that these are not just rumours. A report citing several anonymous sources within the Belgian team show a pattern of issues within the Belgian team that despite having great performances and developing talents, is at risk of crumbling under non-ideal management.
This is the result of an investigation conducted by Wielerflits into the structure of the Belgian team, which connects topics that have been rumoured for the past few months. Financially speaking the team is in trouble, though not mostly the management's fault but instead the title sponsor Dstny has not yet payed the entire portion of the budget for the season which led to cancellation of an altitude training camp ahead of the Vuelta a España and several logistical problems are emerging due to the financial strain on the squad which seems very evident.
The Dutch news outlet also brought forward the public criticism of team manager Stéphane Heulot to Caleb Ewan last year which led to the departure of the Australian sprinter. The 2023 Tour de France saw Ewan struggle with form and abandon after days of difficulties in the mountains. Heulot sharply said that "you have absolutely no respect for your teammates" after the 'Pocket Rocket' abandoned the race after catching up with teammates that had waited for him.
Ewan himself said that "the team has made it clear that they would prefer me to leave" which is a very clear indicator of poor relations with the former leader. Heulot himself admitted that he handled the situation poorly but the damage was done: "I said things about Caleb that I meant, but maybe I should have handled that internally". Arnaud De Lie became the new team leader, a bright talent developed in the team, as are many others emerging within the ranks of the ProTeam.
Currently, racing-wise the team is seeing it's brightest future in years. Lennert van Eetvelt has won the UAE Tour and performed tremendously in other mountainous races; Maxim van Gils broke through and proved to be an excellent and consistent classic rider; Alec Segaert almost won the Renewi Tour at only 21 years of age; whilst the team is currently having one of the best climbing talents in the world Jarno Widar locked in for future years - he is currently 18 years old and in the under-23 team.
Every single one of these riders were developed in the team's youth ranks and the team is virtually confirmed to rise back to World Tour level in 2016. But in order to keep all this talent and maintain the team's strong flow of results and motivation, it will be necessary to get the structure and logistics in place, otherwise we may see a mass departure as soon as next winter.
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