Lidl Trek has ambitious plans for its future. In addition to focusing on preparations for the upcoming season, the American team intends to establish its own development team by 2024. Today, the names of the first eight athletes who will be part of the development group next year have been announced.
The initial eight athletes are: Tim Torn Teutenberg (20 years old), Mats Wenzel (20), Axandre Van Petegem (21, son of former cyclist Peter Van Petegem from the former Lotto Domo team).
The list continues with Kristian Egholm (19), Nils Aebersold (20, son of former professional Niki Aebersold), Louis Leidert (18), Liam O’Brien (18), and Patrick Frydkjaer (18). Axandre Van Petegem is currently competing with the Jumbo Visma development team and will make the transition to Lidl Trek.
This new development team will be based in Deinze, Belgium. Former professional cyclist Markel Irizar will lead the team. As the team manager, the 43-year-old Spaniard is responsible for recruiting and signing young riders to the team and overseeing their sporting performance.
Lidl-Trek Training Team:
- Nils Aebersold
- Liam O’Brien
- Kristian Egholm
- Louis Leidert
- Axandre Van Petegem
- Tim Torn Teutenberg
- Mats Wenzel