# Rising Star: Sylvain Moniquet Shines in His Pro Debut with Lotto Soudal
As the cycling season kicks off, Lotto Soudal introduces one of its promising new talents, 23-year-old Sylvain Moniquet. Hailing from Namur, Belgium, Moniquet brings his climbing prowess to the WorldTeam, embarking on an exciting professional journey.
Reflecting on the start of the season, Moniquet shares, “The season could have started in a better way, of course. In my first race, Le Samyn, I crashed quite badly after the tube came off my rim as I hit a rolling bidon. It ended well, but I’m eager to show a lot in 2021. You have to know that at the start of the new year, it hadn’t really sunk in yet that I’d become a professional cyclist. However, it immediately became clear during the January team training camp.”
The young climber is thrilled about the support he receives at Lotto Soudal, stating, “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 expressed excitement about training alongside fellow climbers, including Maxim Van Gils, Kobe Goossens, and Xandres Vervloesem, with whom he shares a friendly rivalry.
Last year, Moniquet showcased his talent with the Groupama-FDJ Continental team, securing top ten finishes in prominent races like the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc and the Ronde de l’Isard. With an impressive start to his career, he has laid the groundwork for a successful professional season at the team’s January training camp.
Discussing the training process, he notes, “The team training camp in Spain was the ideal moment to estimate your shape and to lay the foundations for the season to come. During a training camp, it definitely isn’t about riding to exhaustion, but about preparing yourself for the upcoming season in an intelligent way.” He acknowledges the step up in intensity compared to U23 cycling, stating, “the difference compared to the U23 category is definitely noticeable, it just goes that little bit faster.” With support from performance manager Maxime Monfort, Moniquet feels well-equipped for the challenges ahead.
Feeling optimistic about integration into the team, he says, “I am happy to be one of the many young guys at Lotto Soudal. It makes the integration within the team just a little easier. Everyone has an open mind and there’s a nice atmosphere.” He also appreciates his ability to communicate in Flemish, improved through his experiences in cycling and his time with the national team.
Looking ahead, Moniquet expresses enthusiasm for his race schedule, which includes participation in the prestigious Ardennes Classics: “Of course, I am really motivated for my first season as a professional cyclist. 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.”
As Sylvain Moniquet embarks on this promising new chapter, cycling enthusiasts will undoubtedly be keen to follow his journey. The combination of youthful energy and ambition could position him as a key player in the competitive cycling landscape this season.
*Image: Photo News*
