Swiss Kevin Kuhn (24) and Belgian Gerben Kuypers (23) signed their first pro contract within the structure of Jean-François Bourlart.
Both cyclocross specialists will spend their winters in the cyclocross project of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, which is actively searching for new title partners, and combine this with road campaigns in the colors of Circus-ReUz-Technord, the new Continental Development Team under the direction of Kevin Van Melsen.
After three seasons under guidance of Bart and Geert Wellens, Kevin Kuhn extended his contract with the structure until February 2025. With his third place in Val Di Sole, he is the first rider in nine years to represent Switzerland on a World Cup podium. Kuhn became a fixed value in the top ten and concluded the World Cups in seventh place in the overall ranking, in addition to his four victories on home soil. In the spring, Kuhn will wear the colors of the Belgian structure for the first time on the road with Circus-ReUz-Technord.
Gerben Kuypers, one of the rising stars of Belgian cyclocross, will join the project until at least the end of 2025. After promising results in the youth categories, he made a strong impression during his first winter in the elite category this season, with a victory in the Exact Cross in Essen and five other wins in the French Cup. During the past month he finished three times in the top ten of World Cup races and took fifth place in the Belgian championship, conquering the title in the non pro category. The Belgian rider, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Wednesday 1st of February, will finish the cyclocross season before showing his new colors on the road with Circus-ReUz-Technord.
« I'm very happy to extend my adventure, because I know I'll be able to rely on the ideal environment and professional guidance for at least two more years. The vision of the team bears fruit, my results are the best proof for that. It was almost surreal to represent Switzerland on a World Cup podium for the first time in nine years, in Val Di Sole. My continuous progression is mainly due to our close-knit group, which is always there for me. At the age of 24 I know that I still have a lot to learn. And I also know that here is the perfect place to do that! » « I'm also very enthusiastic about joining Circus-ReUz Technord on the road. For the first time I'll have a well structured summer program, so I can plan my year from A to Z and benefit from a professional environment. I cherish the ambition to become a better road rider under the direction of Kevin Van Melsen and I also hope to learn alongside the riders of the World Team in several races. »
« My childhood dream of becoming a professional cyclist becomes a reality today, on my 23rd birthday! My performance at the Belgian championship, among others, awakened the interest of several teams. The transversal project of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty pleased me most, looking to the steps made the past couple of years. I recognize myself in the vision of the organization as it is is continuously developing, launching a cyclocross team and then a Continental team. » « Another determining factor in my choice was the possibility to benefit from the professional structure and the experience of Bart and Geert Wellens, which visibly has a positive influence on the development of the riders. The development of Kevin Kuhn is an excellent example. I was invited as a guest to the team training camp in Alicante last week, noticing the remarkable devotion of the staff. They create an environment in which they can flourish. I felt good in this professional and at the same time friendly atmosphere, everything was perfectly organized and structured. » « In addition to my ambition in cyclocross, I also aim to honor the jersey of Circus-ReUz-Technord on the road. But first, I'm focused on my first World Championships in the elite category, in which I hope to shine with a top ten, after which I can conclude the cyclocross campaign in serene way. »
« The loyalty of Kevin Kuhn and the arrival of Gerben Kuypers offer our team nice future prospects. For all people involved in our project this is an important motivating factor to continue building our successful project and investing in the talents of tomorrow, who dream to follow in the footsteps of our pro riders. Our vision is to work with a small group so we can ensure the individual coaching of each of our riders. We're always ready to accompany our riders for training sessions behind the scooter or in races abroad, to name but a few examples. » « We always try to create conditions in which they can entirely use their potential. It is in this way that Kevin Kuhn managed to make big steps forwards the past three years. We helped him to create a home feeling for him in Belgium. He has been remarkable all winter, like for example recently in Benidorm, where he was to only one who was able to follow Wout Van Aert, Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel during 35 minutes. I expect him to pursue his progression and to become a fixed value in the top five. I also can't wait to see the effects of his first solid summer on the road on his development. » « At the age of only 22, Gerben showed himself regularly among the best riders in the world. This is quite remarkable knowing that he had a fulltime job until six weeks ago and that he only has limited support. This step up is his own merit. Together, we are convinced that we can help him to pursue his way to the top. The arrival of Gerben motivates all of us, the alchemy was good from the first contacts, which is very important to my eyes. I'm convinced that he will quickly be integrated and flourish in our cyclocross team and Circus-ReUz-Technord! »
