Lotto Soudal has added a promising new talent to their WorldTeam roster for the upcoming cycling season. Sylvain Moniquet, a 23-year-old climber from Namur, Belgium, is starting his professional cycling career with Lotto Soudal. Moniquet looks forward to making a significant impact in 2021 despite a challenging start.
“The season could have started in a better way, of course. In my first race, Le Samyn, I crashed quite badly… I’m eager to show a lot in 2021,” Moniquet said.
Despite the setback, Moniquet is enthusiastic about his transition to professional cycling and the support he has received from Lotto Soudal.
“The infrastructure and the level of support we are receiving is another step forward compared to my time at the U23 category… My first training camp as a pro went perfectly, it was a really nice experience,” Moniquet added.
Moniquet showcased his abilities as part of the Groupama-FDJ Continental team last year, earning top ten finishes in prestigious races such as the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc and the Ronde de l’Isard. He also placed fourth at Il Piccolo Lombardia. At the January training camp, Moniquet laid the foundations for his first season as a professional.
“During a training camp, it definitely isn’t about riding to exhaustion, but about preparing yourself for the upcoming season in an intelligent way… But with Maxime Monfort as performance manager, we receive the best support possible,” Moniquet explained.
Moniquet is one of the many promising young riders that Lotto Soudal has signed. The team’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere has made his integration into the team easier.
“I am happy to be one of the many young guys at Lotto Soudal… Everyone has an open mind and there’s a nice atmosphere,” said Moniquet. He also expressed his gratitude for being able to communicate in both Flemish and English with his teammates.
Looking ahead to his first season as a professional cyclist, Moniquet is motivated and excited about the challenges that lie ahead.
“My provisional race schedule is looking quite impressive with, for example, the Ardennes Classics. I didn’t expect to compete in such races during my first year as a pro. But I know I have to keep both feet on the ground and keep working hard to achieve my goals,” Moniquet concluded.
