"My rapid development since my arrival in the structure of Intermarché-Wanty awakened ambition in me to race at the highest level with the World Team. I thought my health problems last winter ruined my dream, however, these physical problems apparently did not affect the confidence the team has in me. This opportunity to step up to the World Tour is the best proof. It is a true honour and I am extremely grateful to the structure. It is a great boost of motivation for my return into competition. » “Interrupting my cyclocross season has been the best decision to give my body time to recover from my health problems. I am satisfied with the quality of my training since the beginning of March, and I feel ready to start my road season with Intermarché-Wanty. The first race kilometers are always exciting, because it is difficult to estimate how good you are, especially at this level. Liège-Bastogne-Liège will be my first Monument, it will undoubtedly be special as it is something I would never have imagined a year ago. I will give everything in support of the team, making efforts which can make the difference for our leaders. » “Then, I’m looking forward to the races in May, starting with the Breton weekend with the GP du Morbihan and the Tro Bro Léon. This season my programme includes a wide variety races to enable me to discover myself on different terrains. I'm thinking of the Tour of Norway for example, with two difficult uphill finishes. I am curious to know what I can achieve at this level, I'm eager to learn and I feel supported in this process. For all these reasons, I am convinced that Intermarché-Wanty is the best environment for the continuation of my career. »
“Gerben Kuypers has made a strong impression since his arrival in our structure. First of all, during his first road season in 2023 when he combined the programmes of the World Team and the Development Team. He proved to be a valuable teammate for our pro riders, and was also capable of finishing off the job by achieving great victories for Wanty-ReUz-Technord in the Province Cycling Tour and the Tour de Namur. He continued his momentum in cyclocross with high level performances from the start of the season. With this step up to our World Team, we want to offer Gerben a more choices to compose a tailor-made race programme on the road. We are convinced that we can continue developing him in the World Tour peloton, which will also be beneficial for his ambition in cyclocross. After his debut in Liège-Bastogne-Liège this Sunday, we plan to build towards peak form in May, with a series of races which suit him very well such as the Tro Bro Léon, Antwerp Port Epic and other Belgian classics, or even the Tour of Norway and the Belgium Tour. Together with Gerben Kuypers, we are very happy to begin this important new phase in his development. »
