Wanty-ReUz-Technord reinforces its team for 2024 with the arrival of talented climbers Gilles Dockx and Wouter Toussaint, who join the Continental Development team of Intermarché-Wanty with immediate effect.
Belgian rider Gilles Dockx (18 years old) steps up to the U23 category as part of the team directed by Kévin Van Melsen, after two successful seasons as a junior during which he won three times solo and showed himself on all terrains in the most prestigious races.
The former cyclocross riders showed his climbing talent with a victory in the Valkenburg Klimclassic or a seventh place in the GP Bob Jungels. The champion of Antwerp also raced in the front in the Flemish junior cobble classics such as Nokere Koerse (7th), the E3 Classic (15th) or the Tour of Flanders (20th).
Dutchman Wouter Toussaint (19 years old) was elected Cycling Talent of Limburg 2022 thanks to promising results in the junior category on hilly circuits, such as a sixth place in the Junioren Rundfahrt in Austria and a victory in the Omloop van de Maasvallei.
In 2023, Toussaint raced with Continental team TDT-Unibet for his first season in the U23 category and participated to around ten professional races. The member of the national selection becomes the second Dutch U23 rider within Wanty-ReUz-Technord alongside Huub Artz.
"Like many young riders, my dream is to become a professional cyclist. So I didn't hesitate to join the structure of Intermarché-Wanty, because Wanty-ReUz-Technord is known as one of the best development teams. I had a good feeling discussing with Kévin Van Melsen. In addition to the focus on performance, a lot of importance is attached to the human link between the riders and the staff. These circumstances are essential for the serene development of a rider of my age. I expect 2024 to be a year of learning in the U23 category, which might be a big step up. However, I hope to achieve already at least one personal result and to distinguish myself on the attack or in a support role alongside our leaders. I'll probably have to adapt my aggressive style of racing in the longer U23 races. I know the U23 riders of Wanty-ReUz-Technord often receive the opportunity to race with the World Team. It would be a dream to wear the jersey of Intermarché-Wanty one day, for example in my home race Heistse Pijl."
"I heard a lot of good things about the development structure of Intermarché-Wanty. Seven riders of Wanty-ReUz-Technord signed a professional contract after season 2023, which testifies to the high quality of the ways of working. That's why I'm happy to receive the opportunity to join the development team. In this phase of my development I feel like it is important to train and race with riders of my age. The team offers me a race programme adapted to my needs. It is my ambition to distinguish myself in the hilly races of the Road Series, especially in my region, and I hope to receive the chance to show my climbing qualities in races such as the Giro Next Gen, the Giro Valle d'Aosta or Liège- Bastogne-Liège U23. I also aim to continue my progression in the time trial discipline. What also really pleases me is the solidarity in this group. The team spirit resulted in many victories with numerous different riders last season. Kévin Van Melsen and Christophe Prémont invest a lot in creating an atmosphere in which everyone can flourish and receive opportunities. I quickly noticed it during my first training camp with the team in Spain. I was warmly welcomed by everyone and all have been very helpful. So I can't wait to start racing."
"With Gilles Dockx and Wouter Toussaint, two new climbing talents reinforce Wanty-ReUz-Technord for 2024. Both clearly showed their qualities in the junior category. Gilles Dockx is cut out for hilly parcours, however, he didn't only show himself in these races, but also in cobble classics and on top of that he has fast legs. This allround profile, with capabilities on all terrains, is a very interesting asset for our team." "Wouter Toussaint started racing in the junior category and quickly managed to show himself thanks to his big engine. In 2023, during his first season in the U23 category, he worked a lot in service of his teammates, almost only in professional races. On a technical level he still has a certain margin for progression. That's why we are convinced that he can rapidly make steps with Wanty-ReUz-Technord and confirm that he is a solid added value for our team."
