Rune Herregodts and Arne Marit move to World Tour as Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux reinforces team

Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux are making moves in the market, and they have signed Rune Herregodts and Arne Marit who come from the Sport Vlaaderen - Baloise team and are set to have important roles within the team.

Herregodts, 24 years of age, has been a notable rider in the peloton for several years due to his incredibly aerodynamical posture on the bike, very much resembling his future teammate Taco van der Hoorn. With his aggressive stance and terrific rouleur skills, the track specialist has taken his first pro win in the cobbled classics last year, and has won stages at the Vuelta a Andalucia and recently at the Sazka Tour, fruit of his equally strong puncheur skills.

"I’m happy to join Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux from this winter, because I was looking for an environment in which I can continue improving myself. Winning is the ultimate goal of any cyclist, but making progression is my main source of motivation," he said in a press release, where he was announced on a two-year contract. "...But now I’m stepping up to the World Tour, I will have to find out again how I can use my qualities best to maximize my contribution to the team goals. It will be an interesting journey of discovery, because my intention is to stay longer than two seasons with the team. One thing is for sure: my predilection for early breakaways will remain unchanged!" he confirmed.

As for Marit. he has had a coming exactly the same as Herregodts, turning pro with the Belgian team in 2021, and quickly revealing his talent in the peloton. A sprinter by nature, he impressed in the late-season classics last year, winning the GP du Morbihan where he beat Bryan Coquard and Elia Viviani to the line. He will also join the team for two years and become an important part of the team's sprinter structure, mostly in the domestic calendar.

After several years of contact with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux, I’m happy that I will finally defend the colors of the team," he said. "My ultimate goal is to compete for the victory on the Champs-Elysées, the most prestigious sprint in the world. I showed my capabilities with a victory in the GP du Morbihan and a seventh place in Paris-Tours," he confidently stated.

The Belgian team has confirmed the move of Jan Hirt and Quinten Hermans for the coming season, but it is reinforcing itself with local young talent, with both riders motivated to perform in the coming years.