# Meet the Newest Talent: Sébastien Grignard Joins Lotto Soudal’s WorldTeam
As the new cycling season kicks off, Lotto Soudal is excited to introduce Sébastien Grignard, a promising young talent who has made the leap from the Lotto Soudal U23 team to the WorldTeam level. At just 21 years old, the Belgian cyclist from Mons is eager to make his mark in professional cycling.
“After several years with the Lotto Soudal U23 team, I was of course over the moon that I could turn pro at the WorldTeam,” Grignard expressed. He emphasized the advantage of his familiarity with the team, noting, “I think that the already familiar environment facilitates the integration within the team. It is also nice to be surrounded by so many other young riders. It just makes the transition from U23 rider to pro that little bit easier. I know the other neo-pros quite well and I already raced together with guys like Florian Vermeersch or Brent Van Moer.”
During a recent training camp in Spain, Grignard had the opportunity to learn from more experienced riders. He recalled his initial fascination with cycling: “Just like so many others, my interest in cycling was triggered by the Tour de France. After so many hours watching it on television, I also wanted to give it a try and it seemed to suit me quite well. And suddenly, you are training alongside riders like Gilbert, Degenkolb, Wellens and De Gendt during your first month as a pro. To be honest, those first moments did feel quite bizarre because with such palmares, they leave a big impression.”
Grignard’s skills were highlighted by his time trial victory in the Memorial Igor Decraene last year, showcasing his abilities as a rouleur. “I really love time trialing and I also have a weak spot for the Flemish races. I hope to have a little taste of everything, but I think I am more of a ‘rouleur’. For me, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are the most beautiful races on the calendar,” he stated.
While he possesses strengths on the clock and in breakaways, he acknowledged areas for improvement: “At the moment, explosiveness is something I still need to work on. For me, it’s difficult to get a good result if we’re heading with a small group towards the finish. The high mountains are not really my cup of tea.”
Looking forward, Grignard is focused on adapting to professional racing: “This season will be all about adapting to the pro level and about discovering what racing in the pro peloton exactly entails. I expect a big difference compared to the U23 category, but I really look forward to it. For now, I am not setting any specific goals just yet.”
With the enthusiasm and determination that Grignard brings, fans can expect exciting performances ahead from this rising star in the cycling world.
Photo credit: Facepeeters.
